Software Installer Step Metadata Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Software installation processes often face challenges with catastrophic failures during installation or updating, leading to system corruption and instability, as the installer application lacks the ability to recover from such failures and may further compound the issues upon re-launch.
Innovation Solution
A method that records step metadata for each sequential step of the software installation process, allowing for recovery actions by checking previous iteration metadata and presenting users with remedial options, including backup creation, file management, and configuration processes to restore the system to a stable state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the installer application is launched again after a catastrophic failure, then the installation process can be retried, but the system corruption is further compounded leading to erratic behavior and crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent records step metadata in recoverable storage before executing each installation step, creating a recovery roadmap in advance. This preliminary action enables the system to detect corruption and present remedial options before further damage occurs, rather than allowing compounding corruption from repeated failed launches
Solution Approach 2:
The system checks metadata records from previous installation iterations to detect failure states and system corruption. This feedback mechanism allows the installer to identify when the system is in a corrupted state and present appropriate remedial actions, preventing further compounding of corruption
2Productivity
If the installer application automatically recovers from failure without user intervention, then productivity is improved, but the risk of further system corruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects installation failures by checking metadata records and presents a structured set of remedial options to the user. This self-service approach enables quick recovery identification while maintaining user control over the recovery process, balancing productivity with system stability
Solution Approach 2:
By pre-recording step metadata in recoverable storage, the system prepares recovery information in advance, enabling rapid detection and presentation of remedial options without requiring complex analysis during recovery, thus improving productivity while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If comprehensive step metadata is recorded for each installation step, then recovery capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential step metadata information needed for recovery (step identification and recoverable storage location) rather than recording complete installation state information. This extraction approach provides sufficient recovery capability while minimizing the complexity of metadata management
Data Source
AI summary
A method for implementing a software installation process so as to install, modify or uninstall a software program. The software installation process has a plurality of sequential steps, and the method comprises recording, for each sequential step commenced, step metadata identifying the sequential step so that the step metadata is associated with the software program. The step metadata is recorded in recoverable storage.