Software Update
Encyclopedia
Software Update is a software tool by Apple Inc. that installs the latest version of Apple software on computers running Mac OS X
. It was originally introduced to Mac users in Mac OS 9
. A Windows version has been available since the introduction of iTunes 7
, under the name Apple Software Update. Software Update automatically informs users of new updates. It is part of the CoreServices in OS X, found at /System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app, or by choosing Software Update from the Apple menu
. Software Update can be set to check for updates daily, weekly, monthly, or not at all; in addition, it can download and store the associated .pkg
file (the same type used by Installer
) to be installed at a later date and maintains a history of installed updates.
Software Updates consist of incremental updates of the Mac OS and its applications, Security Updates, device driver
s and firmware
updates. All software updates require a password, as with all consequential system changes. Some updates require a system restart. Starting with Mac OS X 10.5, updates that require a reboot log out the user prior to installation and automatically restart the computer when complete; in earlier versions, the updates are installed, but critical files are not replaced until the next system startup.
The command line usage for softwareupdate in Mac OS X 10.6 is:
Using this tool, it is fairly straightforward for lab administrators to automatically install incoming updates by adding a cron job, or using the new launchd scheduling system
, the latter is recommended:
softwareupdate --install --all
(or just --recommended to be more cautious). It is prudent to set the job to run only every few days to allow for time to jump in with an --ignore if a particular update is reported to have issues by early adopters. If running as a cron job, it is also a good idea to avoid running the update while a user is logged in, especially since some updates require reboot to take effect. (softwareupdate does not reboot automatically, it merely displays a warning on its standard output if a reboot is necessary.) Remote administrators may also be interested in also using the cURL
and installer command line utilities to set up their own software update system.
through Apple Software Update for Windows. The Safari download was selected by default for installation by Apple Software Update. After significant criticism from the IT community, Apple changed its policy and Safari was no longer selected by default for download. Apple Software Update for Windows now offers new software and an optional download, in addition to updates for already-installed software.
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
. It was originally introduced to Mac users in Mac OS 9
Mac OS 9
Mac OS 9 is the final major release of Apple's Mac OS before the launch of Mac OS X. Introduced on October 23, 1999, Apple positioned it as "The Best Internet Operating System Ever," highlighting Sherlock 2's Internet search capabilities, integration with Apple's free online services known as...
. A Windows version has been available since the introduction of iTunes 7
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, under the name Apple Software Update. Software Update automatically informs users of new updates. It is part of the CoreServices in OS X, found at /System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app, or by choosing Software Update from the Apple menu
Apple menu
The Apple menu has been a feature in Apple's Mac OS since its inception. It is the first item on the left hand side of the menu bar. The Apple menu's role has changed throughout the release history of Mac OS, but the menu has always featured a version of the Apple logo.-System 6 and earlier:In...
. Software Update can be set to check for updates daily, weekly, monthly, or not at all; in addition, it can download and store the associated .pkg
.pkg
For other uses see PKG..pkg is a file format used by Apple Inc. on its Macintosh line of computers, and the iPhone. It's also used by Sony's PlayStation 3 on downloadable content over PlayStation Network....
file (the same type used by Installer
Installer (Mac OS X)
Installer is an application included in Mac OS X which extracts and installs files out of .pkg packages. It was created by NeXT, and is now maintained by Apple Inc...
) to be installed at a later date and maintains a history of installed updates.
Software Updates consist of incremental updates of the Mac OS and its applications, Security Updates, device driver
Device driver
In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device....
s and firmware
Firmware
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices...
updates. All software updates require a password, as with all consequential system changes. Some updates require a system restart. Starting with Mac OS X 10.5, updates that require a reboot log out the user prior to installation and automatically restart the computer when complete; in earlier versions, the updates are installed, but critical files are not replaced until the next system startup.
Command line
All of Software Update's features are available through the command-line program softwareupdate.The command line usage for softwareupdate in Mac OS X 10.6 is:
| usage: softwareupdate -l > --list List all appropriate updates -d | --download Download Only -i | --install Install |
Using this tool, it is fairly straightforward for lab administrators to automatically install incoming updates by adding a cron job, or using the new launchd scheduling system
Launchd
launchd is a unified, open-source service management framework for starting, stopping and managing daemons, applications, processes, and scripts...
, the latter is recommended:
softwareupdate --install --all
(or just --recommended to be more cautious). It is prudent to set the job to run only every few days to allow for time to jump in with an --ignore if a particular update is reported to have issues by early adopters. If running as a cron job, it is also a good idea to avoid running the update while a user is logged in, especially since some updates require reboot to take effect. (softwareupdate does not reboot automatically, it merely displays a warning on its standard output if a reboot is necessary.) Remote administrators may also be interested in also using the cURL
CURL
cURL is a computer software project providing a library and command-line tool for transferring data using various protocols. The cURL project produces two products, libcurl and cURL...
and installer command line utilities to set up their own software update system.
Criticism
In March 2008, Apple began offering its web browser SafariSafari (web browser)
Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and included with the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems. First released as a public beta on January 7, 2003 on the company's Mac OS X operating system, it became Apple's default browser beginning with Mac OS X v10.3 "Panther". Safari is also the...
through Apple Software Update for Windows. The Safari download was selected by default for installation by Apple Software Update. After significant criticism from the IT community, Apple changed its policy and Safari was no longer selected by default for download. Apple Software Update for Windows now offers new software and an optional download, in addition to updates for already-installed software.