Updated Utility: WebDeploy

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."

10 Comments

  • Great utility but why doesn't it copy the dll's for a web project whenever you select a vs project file?

  • This has just been brought to my attention and will be addressed in a fixed version. Look for this to be out maybe next week at the latest.

  • Great News! Thanks for the quick reply.

  • Thanks for the great work Matt! It's one heck of a tool and just the perfect one too! I had a small error when istalling but I had version 0.6 and I choose the option of "Leave my config settings" while installing 1.2. I don't think it's a big deal. I just uninstalled everything and then reinstalled and it's working great!

  • A GREAT work. Only two things missing: - Exclude Folders or Files (Profile based, matching some expresion) and FTP multithreaded.Are you going to implemnt any of them? Do you need some help? Thanks

  • What do you mean by multithreaded FTP? Exclusion of folders in a more easy manner is on the list, however I'm still not sure how feasible this is.



    Mallik - sorry you had troubles upgrading...there have been HUGE changes from 0.6 to 1.2, definately feature breaking, so I'm glad you got to start over from scratch.

  • Can we have a feature to exclude folders? Or filetypes? In my web projects i store all photoshop files, database backups etc. in a 'resources' file which I don't want webdeploy looking at for filetypes.



    Thanks

  • 'File' should read 'folder' above - I stored them in a resources folder. I've just realised you have it on the list so nevermind!

  • Sorry about the 3 comments that should've been one...one other suggestion is to have a post deploy FTP command setting. For example, I have 2 web.config files for the development server, and one for the live server. I edit both and upload the 'Web.config.live' file, and rename it web.config. If I could issue the 'ren' command (think it is?) that'd be grande.

  • Make that 4 posts. I've just realise you can untick folders when you deploy, making exclusions pointless.

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