The invention of the AppImage format is definitely one of the best things to happen for Linux. Be that as it may, most of us know that AppImage apps do have some small drawbacks.
AppImage files are very rarely digitally signed, they’re also usually a bit on the bulky side, and updating them is also a bit awkward.
AppImageUpdate is an app designed for end-users and developers alike, and its job is to make the whole process of updating AppImage apps as simple and as smooth as possible.
Useful for users, just as useful for developers
For users, the app serves as a perfect way of getting updates for AppImage apps. The app is remarkably lightweight, fast, and easy to use.
With its help, users are no longer required to app various EPE or PPA repositories to their systems. Having said that, it’s important to note that for AppImageUpdate to work, “update information” must be embedded inside the AppImage file (and, sadly, very few apps have it).
The app is quite useful for app developers as well. If, for example, a developer wants to push out continuous, fast, or nightly builds to testers, it’s AppImageUpdate that provides the best ways of installing them on the system of users.
More information on how AppImageUpdate works
Since no central repository is involved in the whole update process, the app uses something called delta updates. This means that the downloads are small and very efficient.
This is because the app only downloads the parts that have changed since the original version. Considering how lightweight and relatively non-complicated this app is, it’s actually remarkably fluid and smooth.
Verdict
While we understand that it’s somewhat difficult to get hyped about such a simple app or about the existence of AppImage format, AppImageUpdate is an amazing little app.
It fully inherits the “concepts” and “intentions” of the AppImage format, it’s fast, it’s smooth, it’s useful for both users and app developers, and it’s very easy to use.
