WebDeploy has now reached version 1.2 with a major shift in how it handles matching files. Yes, the most important release note about 1.2 is that WebDeploy no longer uses file extensions, but rather relies on using File Masks to match and copy files. This new feature will hopefully be able to extend its functionality to even more users.
A few other new additions to note, include the addition of new backup features, anonymous usage tracking, and pre/post commands that are called during a deployment. I'll take these one by one...
New Backup Features includes a more robust way of backing your files that are potentially going to be overwritten. The new features now includes 4 different methods of doing backups:
1. No backup at all, this is the most risky, and if you cancel during a deployment, no files are ever restored.
2. Backup to a temporary location. This solves #1's problem (which has existed previously), however your backed up files are removed after a deployment, whether you cancelled it or not.
3. Backup to a defined location. This method will delete any files and folders in your backup location, then make a backup of the potential files to that directory.
4. Expanding on #3, you can automatically create subdirectories in your base backup directory which will be date and time stamped.
Anonymous Usage Tracking has been added to allow me to collect statistics on how WebDeploy is used. You have the option to not send the usage statistics, however I must stress it is completely anonymous and no information about you, your computer, or your network will be transmitted and stored.
Lastly, Pre/Post commands have been added on a per-profile basis. These work similarly to VS.NET's Pre/Post commands, in the sense that you can execute something prior to deployment, or after deployment. The big thing that I can note from this, is being able to call NAnt scripts to compile a web application prior to deployment...talk about sweet coolness.
Okay okay, so I talked about the new big things...but what about the changelog...well, here it is:
- Added tooltips to most of the dialogs and controls to help users.
- Added new backup features.
- Added backup functionality to console version.
- Added minimizing configuration options, available in Tools->Configure
- Added more description to FTP testing if the test fails.
- Added anonymous usage tracking, with opt out functionality.
- Added pre and post commands that can be run for a deployment. This is configurable on a per profile basis.
- Fixed zip files not being visible within Windows XP Compressed Files
- Changed idea of "Extensions" to be "File Masks". Adds numerous amount of flexibility for file deployment.
- Changed Save and Load text to be profile specific.
"Like always, WebDeploy is freeware, and the source code is not available. If you have any further suggestions, comments, ideas, or problems, please do not hesitate to contact me or post them on this blog post.
If you wish to download WebDeploy, click here. You will need the .NET framework v1.1.4322 to run WebDeploy."