Windows Runtimes Should Be Built-In... and Automatically Update
By
Staten Island, NY Posted: 5/12/2015 1:00:00 AM
Yes. I realize Windows already does automatic updates, but it's incomplete, and sloppy.
As a tech guy, it bugs me when I come across a Windows program that has a bloated and complicated installer that needs to install all sorts of runtime packages before it runs. There's no reason for this, especially when the system is running the latest version of Windows. Those runtimes should've been baked in from day one.
Windows is complex. Each program could potentially require a variety of technologies that may, or may not be built into the version of Windows you are running, so before you can run a new program, it's up to the installer program to determine if it needs to install additional runtimes. This could include various versions of the .Net Framework, Silverlight, or C++ libraries.
Apple's approach is simpler, because Apple essentially packs all their runtimes and libraries into the operating system itself. When Apple rolls out a new Operating System, it includes the latest libraries in that version number. What that means is that anyone running OS X 10.10.3 has exactly the same core libraries.
So, whenever a program is released, they can simply say "This App requires OS X version 10.10.3 or later", and that automatically implies that all the core runtimes are built-in. If the installer detects an older version than the one required to run the program, it simply doesn't install. While that doesn't sound like a good idea, it's actually better, because it encourages people to get the latest operating system, and it insures that every part of the system was works together as it should.
From time to time I've had Apps that won't install on my older Macs, but that's fine. It's better that they work the way the programmer wanted them to, than to work half-assed.
Joe Crescenzi, Founder
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