Update dialog

.vscode/launch.json

@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@
                 //"[json_variants]"  // subtest of your choice, or none to run all of the tests.
                 //"[inverting_mutex_test]"
                 // "[utf8_to_utf32]"
-                "[wifi_channels_test]"
+                "[updater]"
             ],
 
             "stopAtEntry": false,

CMakeLists.txt

@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ project(pipedal
     DESCRIPTION "PiPedal Guitar Effect Pedal For Raspberry Pi"
     HOMEPAGE_URL "https://rerdavies.github.io/pipedal"
 )
-set (DISPLAY_VERSION "v1.2.41")
-
+set (DISPLAY_VERSION "PiPedal v1.2.41-Release")
+set (PACKAGE_ARCHITECTURE "arm64")
 set (CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX "/usr/")
 
 include(CTest)

PiPedalCommon/src/SysExec.cpp

@@ -267,3 +267,42 @@ int pipedal::sysExecWait(ProcessId pid_)
     return exitStatus;
 
 }
+
+SysExecOutput pipedal::sysExecForOutput(const std::string &program, const std::string &args)
+{
+    namespace fs = std::filesystem;
+    fs::path fullPath = findOnSystemPath(program);
+    if (!fs::exists(fullPath))
+    {
+        throw std::runtime_error(SS("Path does not exist. " << fullPath));
+    }
+    std::stringstream s;
+    s << fullPath.c_str() << " " << args << " 2>&1";
+
+    std::string fullCommand = s.str();
+    FILE *output = popen(fullCommand.c_str(), "r");
+    if (output)
+    {
+        char buffer[512];
+        std::stringstream ssOutput;
+
+        while (!feof(output))
+        {
+            size_t nRead = fread(buffer, sizeof(char),sizeof(buffer), output);
+            ssOutput.write(buffer,nRead);
+            if (nRead == 0) 
+                break;
+
+        }
+        int rc = pclose(output);
+        SysExecOutput result
+        {
+            .exitCode = rc,
+            .output = ssOutput.str()
+        };
+        return result;
+   } else {
+        throw std::runtime_error(SS("Failed to execute command. " <<  fullCommand ));
+   }
+
+}

PiPedalCommon/src/include/SysExec.hpp

@@ -20,20 +20,28 @@
 #pragma once
 #include <string>
 
-namespace pipedal {
-// exec a command, returning the actual exit code (unlike execXX() or system() )
-int sysExec(const char*szCommand);
+namespace pipedal
+{
+    // exec a command, returning the actual exit code (unlike execXX() or system() )
+    int sysExec(const char *szCommand);
 
-// execute a command, suppressing output.
-int silentSysExec(const char *szCommand);
+    // execute a command, suppressing output.
+    int silentSysExec(const char *szCommand);
 
+    struct SysExecOutput
+    {
+        int exitCode;
+        std::string output;
+    };
 
-using ProcessId = int64_t; // platform-agnostic wrapper for pid_t;
-// Returns a pid or -1 on errror.
-ProcessId sysExecAsync(const std::string&command);
+    SysExecOutput sysExecForOutput(const std::string& command, const std::string&args);
 
-void sysExecTerminate(ProcessId pid_,int termTimeoutMs = 1000,int killTimeoutMs = 500 ); // returns the process's exit status.
-int sysExecWait(ProcessId pid);
+    using ProcessId = int64_t; // platform-agnostic wrapper for pid_t;
+    // Returns a pid or -1 on errror.
+    ProcessId sysExecAsync(const std::string &command);
 
-std::string getSelfExePath();
+    void sysExecTerminate(ProcessId pid_, int termTimeoutMs = 1000, int killTimeoutMs = 500); // returns the process's exit status.
+    int sysExecWait(ProcessId pid);
+
+    std::string getSelfExePath();
 }

PiPedalCommon/src/include/json_variant.hpp

@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ namespace pipedal
     public:
         ~json_variant();
         json_variant();
+        json_variant(json_reader &reader);
         json_variant(json_variant &&);
         json_variant(const json_variant &);
 
@@ -81,9 +82,9 @@ namespace pipedal
         json_variant(const std::shared_ptr<json_array> &value);
         json_variant(json_array &&array);
         json_variant(json_object &&object);
-        json_variant(const char*sz);
+        json_variant(const char *sz);
 
-        json_variant(const void*) = delete; // do NOT allow implicit conversion of pointers to bool
+        json_variant(const void *) = delete; // do NOT allow implicit conversion of pointers to bool
 
         json_variant &operator=(json_variant &&value);
         json_variant &operator=(const json_variant &value);
@@ -94,9 +95,9 @@ namespace pipedal
         json_variant &operator=(json_object &&value);
         json_variant &operator=(json_array &&value);
 
-        json_variant &operator=(const char*sz) { return (*this) = std::string(sz); }
+        json_variant &operator=(const char *sz) { return (*this) = std::string(sz); }
 
-        json_variant &operator=(void*) = delete; // do NOT allow implicit conversion of pointers to bool
+        json_variant &operator=(void *) = delete; // do NOT allow implicit conversion of pointers to bool
 
         void require_type(ContentType content_type) const
         {
@@ -145,6 +146,22 @@ namespace pipedal
             return content.double_value;
         }
 
+        int8_t as_int8() const { return (int8_t)as_number(); }
+
+        uint8_t as_uint8() const { return (uint8_t)as_number(); }
+
+        int16_t as_int16() const { return (int16_t)as_number(); }
+
+        uint16_t as_uint16() const { return (uint16_t)as_number(); }
+
+        int32_t as_int32() const { return (int32_t)as_number(); }
+
+        uint32_t as_uint32() const { return (uint32_t)as_number(); }
+
+        int64_t as_int64() const { return (int64_t)as_number(); }
+
+        uint64_t as_uint64() const { return (uint64_t)as_number(); }
+
         const std::string &as_string() const;
         std::string &as_string();
 
@@ -154,9 +171,6 @@ namespace pipedal
         const std::shared_ptr<json_array> &as_array() const;
         std::shared_ptr<json_array> &as_array();
 
-        template <typename U>
-        U &as() { static_assert("Invalid type."); }
-
         // convenience methods for object and array manipulation.
         static json_variant make_object();
         static json_variant make_array();
@@ -179,6 +193,7 @@ namespace pipedal
         bool operator!=(const json_variant &other) const;
 
         std::string to_string() const;
+
     private:
         void free();
         void write_double_value(json_writer &writer, double value) const;
@@ -212,12 +227,12 @@ namespace pipedal
     class json_array : public JsonSerializable
     {
     private:
-        json_array(const json_array&) { } // deleted.
+        json_array(const json_array &) {} // deleted.
     public:
         using ptr = std::shared_ptr<json_array>;
 
         json_array() { ++allocation_count_; }
-        json_array(json_array&&other);
+        json_array(json_array &&other);
         ~json_array() { --allocation_count_; }
 
         json_variant &at(size_t index);
@@ -247,7 +262,7 @@ namespace pipedal
         }
         using iterator = std::vector<json_variant>::iterator;
         using const_iterator = std::vector<json_variant>::const_iterator;
-        
+
         iterator begin() { return values.begin(); }
         iterator end() { return values.end(); }
         const_iterator begin() const { return values.begin(); }
@@ -266,13 +281,13 @@ namespace pipedal
     class json_object : public JsonSerializable
     {
     private:
-        json_object(const json_object&) { } // deleted.
+        json_object(const json_object &) {} // deleted.
     public:
         using ptr = std::shared_ptr<json_object>;
 
-        json_object() { ++ allocation_count_;}
-        json_object(json_object&&other);
-        ~json_object() { --allocation_count_;}
+        json_object() { ++allocation_count_; }
+        json_object(json_object &&other);
+        ~json_object() { --allocation_count_; }
 
         size_t size() const { return values.size(); }
         json_variant &at(const std::string &index);
@@ -285,25 +300,24 @@ namespace pipedal
         bool operator!=(const json_object &other) const { return (!((*this) == other)); }
         bool contains(const std::string &index) const;
 
-
-        using values_t = std::vector< std::pair<std::string, json_variant> >;
+        using values_t = std::vector<std::pair<std::string, json_variant>>;
         using iterator = values_t::iterator;
         using const_iterator = values_t::const_iterator;
-        
+
         iterator begin() { return values.begin(); }
         iterator end() { return values.end(); }
         const_iterator begin() const { return values.begin(); }
         const_iterator end() const { return values.end(); }
 
-        iterator find(const std::string& key);
-        const_iterator find(const std::string& key) const;
-
+        iterator find(const std::string &key);
+        const_iterator find(const std::string &key) const;
 
         // strictly for testing purposes. Not thread-safe.
-        static int64_t allocation_count() 
+        static int64_t allocation_count()
         {
             return allocation_count_;
         }
+
     private:
         virtual void read_json(json_reader &reader);
         virtual void write_json(json_writer &writer) const;
@@ -317,27 +331,6 @@ namespace pipedal
     inline std::string &json_variant::memString() { return *(std::string *)content.mem; }
     inline const std::string &json_variant::memString() const { return *(const std::string *)content.mem; }
 
-    template <>
-    inline json_null &json_variant::as<json_null>() { return as_null(); }
-
-    template <>
-    inline bool &json_variant::as<bool>() { return as_bool(); }
-
-    template <>
-    inline double &json_variant::as<double>() { return as_number(); }
-
-    template <>
-    inline std::string &json_variant::as<std::string>() { return as_string(); }
-
-    template <>
-    inline std::shared_ptr<json_object> &json_variant::as<std::shared_ptr<json_object>>() { return as_object(); }
-
-    template <>
-    inline std::shared_ptr<json_array> &json_variant::as<std::shared_ptr<json_array>>() { return as_array(); }
-
-    template <>
-    inline json_variant &json_variant::as<json_variant>() { return *this; }
-
     inline json_variant::object_ptr &json_variant::memObject()
     {
         return *(object_ptr *)content.mem;
@@ -525,22 +518,23 @@ namespace pipedal
         return !(*this == other);
     }
 
-
     // Holds a string but is json_read and json_written as an unqoted json object.
-    class raw_json_string: public JsonSerializable {
-        public:
-            raw_json_string() { }
-            raw_json_string(const std::string &value) : value(value) {}
-            const std::string& as_string() const { return value; }
+    class raw_json_string : public JsonSerializable
+    {
+    public:
+        raw_json_string() {}
+        raw_json_string(const std::string &value) : value(value) {}
+        const std::string &as_string() const { return value; }
 
-            void Set(const std::string&value) { this->value = value; }
+        void Set(const std::string &value) { this->value = value; }
 
-    private: 
-
-        virtual void write_json(json_writer &writer) const {
+    private:
+        virtual void write_json(json_writer &writer) const
+        {
             writer.write_raw(value.c_str());
         }
-        virtual void read_json(json_reader &reader) {
+        virtual void read_json(json_reader &reader)
+        {
             throw std::logic_error("Not implemented.");
         }
 

PiPedalCommon/src/json_variant.cpp

@@ -552,6 +552,11 @@ json_variant::json_variant(const char*sz)
     
 }
 
+json_variant::json_variant(json_reader&reader)
+{
+    this->read_json(reader);
+}
+
 
 
 /*static*/ json_null json_null::instance;

react/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ add_custom_command(
     WORKING_DIRECTORY ${PROJECT_SOURCE_DIR}/react
 
     DEPENDS 
+    src/Updater.tsx
     src/OkCancelDialog.tsx
     src/PluginControl.tsx
     src/svg/ic_save_bank_as.svg

react/public/var/config.json

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-    "socket_server_port": 80,
+    "socket_server_port": 8080,
     "socket_server_address": "*",
     "debug": true,
     "max_upload_size": 536870912,

react/src/AboutDialog.tsx

@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ const AboutDialog = withStyles(styles, { withTheme: true })(
 
         render() {
             let classes = this.props.classes;
-
+            let addressKey = 0;
             return (
                 <DialogEx tag="about" fullScreen open={this.props.open}
                     onClose={() => { this.props.onClose() }} TransitionComponent={Transition}
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@ const AboutDialog = withStyles(styles, { withTheme: true })(
 
                                 {this.model.isAndroidHosted() && (
                                     <Typography noWrap display="block" variant="body2" style={{ marginBottom: 12 }}  >
-                                        Copyright &#169; 2022 Robin Davies.
+                                        Copyright &#169; 2022-2024 Robin Davies.
                                     </Typography>
                                 )}
                                 <Divider />
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ const AboutDialog = withStyles(styles, { withTheme: true })(
                                 {
                                     this.model.serverVersion?.webAddresses.map((address) =>
                                     (
-                                        <Typography display="block" variant="body2" style={{ marginBottom: 0, marginLeft: 24 }}  >
+                                        <Typography key={addressKey++} display="block" variant="body2" style={{ marginBottom: 0, marginLeft: 24 }}  >
                                             {address}
                                         </Typography>
                                     ))

react/src/AndroidHost.tsx

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ export interface  AndroidHostInterface {
     getHostVersion() : string;
     chooseNewDevice() : void;
     setDisconnected(isDisconnected: boolean): void;
-
+    launchExternalUrl(url:string): boolean;
 };
 
 export class FakeAndroidHost implements AndroidHostInterface
@@ -47,4 +47,8 @@ export class FakeAndroidHost implements AndroidHostInterface
     }
     showSponsorship() : void { }
 
-}
+    launchExternalUrl(url:string): boolean
+    {
+        return false;
+    }
+}

react/src/AppThemed.tsx

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ import SettingsDialog from './SettingsDialog';
 import AboutDialog from './AboutDialog';
 import BankDialog from './BankDialog';
 
-import { PiPedalModelFactory, PiPedalModel, State, ZoomedControlInfo } from './PiPedalModel';
+import { PiPedalModelFactory, PiPedalModel, State, ZoomedControlInfo,wantsLoadingScreen } from './PiPedalModel';
 import ZoomedUiControl from './ZoomedUiControl'
 import MainPage from './MainPage';
 import DialogContent from '@mui/material/DialogContent';
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@ import RenameDialog from './RenameDialog';
 import JackStatusView from './JackStatusView';
 import { Theme } from '@mui/material/styles';
 import { isDarkMode } from './DarkMode';
+import UpdateDialog from './UpdateDialog';
 
 import { ReactComponent as RenameOutlineIcon } from './svg/drive_file_rename_outline_black_24dp.svg';
 import { ReactComponent as SaveBankAsIcon } from './svg/ic_save_bank_as.svg';
@@ -270,6 +271,7 @@ type AppState = {
     tinyToolBar: boolean;
     alertDialogOpen: boolean;
     alertDialogMessage: string;
+    updateDialogOpen: boolean;
     isSettingsDialogOpen: boolean;
     onboarding: boolean;
     isDebug: boolean;
@@ -324,6 +326,7 @@ const AppThemed = withStyles(appStyles)(class extends ResizeResponsiveComponent<
             alertDialogMessage: "",
             presetName: this.model_.presets.get().getSelectedText(),
             isSettingsDialogOpen: false,
+            updateDialogOpen: false,
             onboarding: false,
             isDebug: true,
             presetChanged: this.model_.presets.get().presetChanged,
@@ -339,8 +342,10 @@ const AppThemed = withStyles(appStyles)(class extends ResizeResponsiveComponent<
 
         };
 
+        this.promptForUpdateHandler = this.promptForUpdateHandler.bind(this);
         this.errorChangeHandler_ = this.setErrorMessage.bind(this);
-        this.unmountListener = this.unmountListener.bind(this);
+        this.beforeUnloadListener = this.beforeUnloadListener.bind(this);
+        this.unloadListener = this.unloadListener.bind(this);
         this.stateChangeHandler_ = this.setDisplayState.bind(this);
         this.presetChangedHandler = this.presetChangedHandler.bind(this);
         this.alertMessageChangedHandler = this.alertMessageChangedHandler.bind(this);
@@ -510,18 +515,26 @@ const AppThemed = withStyles(appStyles)(class extends ResizeResponsiveComponent<
         this.setState({ isFullScreen: !this.state.isFullScreen });
     }
 
-    private unmountListener(e: Event) {
-        if (this.model_.state.get() === State.Ready && !this.model_.isAndroidHosted()) {
-            e.preventDefault();
-            (e as any).returnValue = "Are you sure you want to leave this page?";
-            return "Are you sure you want to leave this page?";
-        }
+    private unloadListener(e: Event) {
+        this.model_.close();
         return undefined;
     }
+
+    private beforeUnloadListener(e: Event) {
+        this.model_.close();
+        return undefined;
+    }
+    promptForUpdateHandler(newValue: boolean) {
+        if (this.state.updateDialogOpen !== newValue)
+        {
+            this.setState({updateDialogOpen: newValue});
+        }
+    }
     componentDidMount() {
 
         super.componentDidMount();
-        window.addEventListener("beforeunload", this.unmountListener);
+        window.addEventListener("beforeunload", this.beforeUnloadListener);
+        window.addEventListener("unload", this.unloadListener);
 
         this.model_.errorMessage.addOnChangedHandler(this.errorChangeHandler_);
         this.model_.state.addOnChangedHandler(this.stateChangeHandler_);
@@ -529,6 +542,7 @@ const AppThemed = withStyles(appStyles)(class extends ResizeResponsiveComponent<
         this.model_.alertMessage.addOnChangedHandler(this.alertMessageChangedHandler);
         this.model_.banks.addOnChangedHandler(this.banksChangedHandler);
         this.model_.showStatusMonitor.addOnChangedHandler(this.showStatusMonitorHandler);
+        this.model_.promptForUpdate.addOnChangedHandler(this.promptForUpdateHandler);
         this.alertMessageChangedHandler();
     }
 
@@ -550,14 +564,17 @@ const AppThemed = withStyles(appStyles)(class extends ResizeResponsiveComponent<
 
     componentWillUnmount() {
         super.componentWillUnmount();
-        window.removeEventListener("beforeunload", this.unmountListener);
+        window.removeEventListener("beforeunload", this.beforeUnloadListener);
 
+        this.model_.promptForUpdate.removeOnChangedHandler(this.promptForUpdateHandler);
         this.model_.errorMessage.removeOnChangedHandler(this.errorChangeHandler_);
         this.model_.state.removeOnChangedHandler(this.stateChangeHandler_);
         this.model_.pedalboard.removeOnChangedHandler(this.presetChangedHandler);
         this.model_.banks.removeOnChangedHandler(this.banksChangedHandler);
         this.model_.banks.removeOnChangedHandler(this.showStatusMonitorHandler);
 
+        this.model_.close();
+
     }
 
     alertMessageChangedHandler() {
@@ -661,6 +678,10 @@ const AppThemed = withStyles(appStyles)(class extends ResizeResponsiveComponent<
                 return "Applying\u00A0changes...";
             case State.ReloadingPlugins:
                 return "Reloading\u00A0plugins...";
+            case State.DownloadingUpdate:
+                return "Downloading update...";
+            case State.InstallingUpdate:
+                return "Installing update....";
             default:
                 return "Reconnecting...";
         }
@@ -840,7 +861,10 @@ const AppThemed = withStyles(appStyles)(class extends ResizeResponsiveComponent<
                     </div>
                 </main>
                 <BankDialog show={this.state.bankDialogOpen} isEditDialog={this.state.editBankDialogOpen} onDialogClose={() => this.setState({ bankDialogOpen: false })} />
-                <AboutDialog open={this.state.aboutDialogOpen} onClose={() => this.setState({ aboutDialogOpen: false })} />
+                { (this.state.aboutDialogOpen)&&
+                (
+                    <AboutDialog open={this.state.aboutDialogOpen} onClose={() => this.setState({ aboutDialogOpen: false })} />
+                )}
                 <SettingsDialog
                     open={this.state.isSettingsDialogOpen}
                     onboarding={this.state.onboarding}
@@ -872,6 +896,16 @@ const AppThemed = withStyles(appStyles)(class extends ResizeResponsiveComponent<
                     onDialogClosed={() => { this.model_.zoomedUiControl.set(undefined); }
                     }
                 />
+                {
+                    (this.state.updateDialogOpen)
+                    && (
+                        <UpdateDialog open={true} />
+                    )
+                }
+                {this.state.showStatusMonitor && (<JackStatusView />)}
+
+
+
                 <DialogEx
                     tag="Alert"
                     open={this.state.alertDialogOpen}
@@ -893,14 +927,13 @@ const AppThemed = withStyles(appStyles)(class extends ResizeResponsiveComponent<
                         </Button>
                     </DialogActions>
                 </DialogEx>
-                {this.state.showStatusMonitor && (<JackStatusView />)}
+
 
                 <div className={classes.errorContent} style={{
                     display: (
-                        this.state.displayState === State.Reconnecting 
-                        || this.state.displayState === State.ApplyingChanges
-                        || this.state.displayState === State.ReloadingPlugins)
+                        wantsLoadingScreen(this.state.displayState)
                         ? "block" : "none"
+                    )
                 }}
                 >
                     <div className={classes.errorContentMask} />

react/src/PiPedalModel.tsx

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 import { UiPlugin, UiControl, PluginType, UiFileProperty } from './Lv2Plugin';
 
 import { PiPedalArgumentError, PiPedalStateError } from './PiPedalError';
-
+import { UpdateStatus, UpdatePolicyT} from './Updater';
 import { ObservableProperty } from './ObservableProperty';
 import { Pedalboard, PedalboardItem, ControlValue } from './Pedalboard'
 import PluginClass from './PluginClass';
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ import GovernorSettings from './GovernorSettings';
 import WifiChannel from './WifiChannel';
 import AlsaDeviceInfo from './AlsaDeviceInfo';
 import { AndroidHostInterface, FakeAndroidHost } from './AndroidHost';
-import {ColorTheme, getColorScheme,setColorScheme} from './DarkMode';
+import { ColorTheme, getColorScheme, setColorScheme } from './DarkMode';
 import FilePropertyDirectoryTree from './FilePropertyDirectoryTree';
 
 
@@ -49,13 +49,21 @@ export enum State {
     Background,
     Reconnecting,
     ApplyingChanges,
-    ReloadingPlugins
+    ReloadingPlugins,
+    DownloadingUpdate,
+    InstallingUpdate,
 };
 
+export function wantsLoadingScreen(state: State)
+{
+    return state >= State.Reconnecting;
+}
+
 export enum ReconnectReason {
     Disconnected,
     LoadingSettings,
     ReloadingPlugins,
+    Updating,
 };
 
 export type ControlValueChangedHandler = (key: string, value: number) => void;
@@ -369,6 +377,9 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
     state: ObservableProperty<State> = new ObservableProperty<State>(State.Loading);
     visibilityState: ObservableProperty<VisibilityState> = new ObservableProperty<VisibilityState>(VisibilityState.Visible);
 
+    promptForUpdate: ObservableProperty<boolean> = new ObservableProperty<boolean>(false);
+    updateStatus: ObservableProperty<UpdateStatus> = new ObservableProperty<UpdateStatus>(new UpdateStatus());
+
     errorMessage: ObservableProperty<string> = new ObservableProperty<string>("");
     alertMessage: ObservableProperty<string> = new ObservableProperty<string>("");
 
@@ -431,23 +442,32 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         this.onSocketConnectionLost = this.onSocketConnectionLost.bind(this);
     }
 
-    onSocketReconnecting(retry: number, maxRetries: number): void {
-        if (this.visibilityState.get() === VisibilityState.Hidden) return;
+    expectDisconnect(reason: ReconnectReason)
+    {
+        this.reconnectReason = reason;
+    }
+
+    onSocketReconnecting(retry: number, maxRetries: number): boolean {
+        if (this.isClosed) return false;
+        if (this.visibilityState.get() === VisibilityState.Hidden) return false;
         //if (retry !== 0) {
-        switch (this.reconnectReason)
-        {
-        case ReconnectReason.Disconnected:
-        default:
-            this.setState(State.Reconnecting);
-            break;
-        case ReconnectReason.LoadingSettings:
-            this.setState(State.ApplyingChanges);
-            break;
-        case ReconnectReason.ReloadingPlugins:
-            this.setState(State.ReloadingPlugins);
-            break;
+        switch (this.reconnectReason) {
+            case ReconnectReason.Disconnected:
+            default:
+                this.setState(State.Reconnecting);
+                break;
+            case ReconnectReason.LoadingSettings:
+                this.setState(State.ApplyingChanges);
+                break;
+            case ReconnectReason.ReloadingPlugins:
+                this.setState(State.ReloadingPlugins);
+                break;
+            case ReconnectReason.Updating:
+                this.setState(State.InstallingUpdate);
+                break;
 
         }
+        return true;
     }
 
 
@@ -486,17 +506,17 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         }
         else if (message === "onOutputVolumeChanged") {
             let value = body as number;
-            this._setOutputVolume(value,false);
+            this._setOutputVolume(value, false);
         }
         else if (message === "onInputVolumeChanged") {
             let value = body as number;
-            this._setInputVolume(value,false);
+            this._setInputVolume(value, false);
         } else if (message === "onLv2StateChanged") {
 
             let instanceId = body.instanceId as number;
-            let state = body.state as [boolean,any];
+            let state = body.state as [boolean, any];
 
-            this.onLv2StateChanged(instanceId,state);
+            this.onLv2StateChanged(instanceId, state);
         } else if (message === "onVst3ControlChanged") {
             let controlChangedBody = body as Vst3ControlChangedBody;
             this._setVst3PedalboardControlValue(
@@ -613,18 +633,114 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         } else if (message === "onSystemMidiBindingsChanged") {
             let bindings = MidiBinding.deserialize_array(body);
             this.systemMidiBindings.set(bindings);
-        } else if (message === "onErrorMessage")
-        {
+        } else if (message === "onErrorMessage") {
             this.showAlert(body as string);
 
-        } 
-        else if (message === "onLv2PluginsChanging")
-        {
+        }
+        else if (message === "onLv2PluginsChanging") {
             this.onLv2PluginsChanging();
+        } else if (message === "onUpdateStatusChanged") {
+            let updateStatus = new UpdateStatus().deserialize(body);
+            this.onUpdateStatusChanged(updateStatus);
         }
     }
-    onLv2PluginsChanging() : void {
-        this.reconnectReason = ReconnectReason.ReloadingPlugins;
+
+    private updateLaterTimeout?: NodeJS.Timeout = undefined;
+
+    private clearPromptForUpdateTimer()
+    {
+        if (this.updateLaterTimeout)
+        {
+            clearTimeout(this.updateLaterTimeout);
+            this.updateLaterTimeout = undefined;
+        }
+    }
+
+    private setPromptForUpdateTimer(when: Date)
+    {
+        let ms = when.getTime()-Date.now();
+        this.updateLaterTimeout = setTimeout(
+            ()=>{
+                this.updateLaterTimeout = undefined;
+                // make the server do a fresh check
+                this.getUpdateStatus()
+                .then(
+                    ()=>{
+                        this.updatePromptForUpdate();
+                    })
+                .catch((e)=>{
+
+                });
+            },
+            ms);
+    }
+
+
+    private updatePromptForUpdate() {
+        this.clearPromptForUpdateTimer();
+        
+        let stateEnabled = true; // must be present to accept alerts.  this.state.get() === State.Ready;
+        let timeEnabled = false;
+
+        let updateLaterTime = this.getUpdateTime();
+        if (updateLaterTime == null) {
+            timeEnabled = true;
+        } else {
+            let nDate = Date.now();
+
+            let now: Date = new Date(nDate);
+            let tomorrow: Date = new Date(nDate + 86400000);
+
+            timeEnabled = (updateLaterTime < now || updateLaterTime >= tomorrow)
+            if (!timeEnabled)
+            {
+                this.setPromptForUpdateTimer(updateLaterTime);
+            }
+        }
+        let updateStatus = this.updateStatus.get();
+        let statusEnabled = updateStatus.isOnline && updateStatus.isValid && updateStatus.getActiveRelease().updateAvailable;
+
+        if (stateEnabled && timeEnabled && statusEnabled)
+        {
+            this.showUpdateDialogValue = true;
+        }
+        this.promptForUpdate.set(this.showUpdateDialogValue);
+
+        if (stateEnabled && statusEnabled && !timeEnabled && updateLaterTime)
+        {
+            this.setPromptForUpdateTimer(updateLaterTime);
+        }
+    }
+    private showUpdateDialogValue: boolean = false;
+
+    showUpdateDialog(show: boolean = true) {
+        if (this.showUpdateDialogValue !== show)
+        {
+            this.showUpdateDialogValue = show;
+            if (show)
+            {
+                this.forceUpdateCheck();
+            }
+            this.updatePromptForUpdate();
+        }
+    }
+
+    onUpdateStatusChanged(updateStatus: UpdateStatus): void {
+        let current = this.updateStatus.get();
+        if (!current.equals(updateStatus)) {
+            this.updateStatus.set(updateStatus);
+            if (current.currentVersion.length !== 0 && current.currentVersion !== updateStatus.currentVersion) {
+                // !! Server has been updated!!!
+                this.reloadPage();
+            }
+            if (updateStatus.getActiveRelease().updateAvailable) {
+                this.promptForUpdate.set(true);
+            }
+            this.updatePromptForUpdate()
+        }
+    }
+    onLv2PluginsChanging(): void {
+        this.expectDisconnect(ReconnectReason.ReloadingPlugins);
         // this.webSocket?.reconnect(); // let the server do it for us.
 
     }
@@ -639,19 +755,21 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
     setState(state: State) {
         if (this.state.get() !== state) {
             this.state.set(state);
+            this.updatePromptForUpdate();
         }
     }
 
-    validatePlugins(plugin: PluginClass) {
+    validatePluginClasses(plugin: PluginClass) {
         if (plugin.plugin_type === PluginType.None) {
             console.log("Error: No plugin type for uri '" + plugin.uri + "'");
         }
         for (let i = 0; i < plugin.children.length; ++i) {
-            this.validatePlugins(plugin.children[i]);
+            this.validatePluginClasses(plugin.children[i]);
         }
     }
 
 
+
     private reconnectReason: ReconnectReason = ReconnectReason.Disconnected;
 
     isReloading(): boolean {
@@ -681,13 +799,17 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
             this.androidHost?.setDisconnected(false);
         }
 
-        this.reconnectReason = ReconnectReason.Disconnected;
+        this.expectDisconnect(ReconnectReason.Disconnected); // the next expected disconnect will be an actual disconnect.
         if (this.visibilityState.get() === VisibilityState.Hidden) return;
 
         // reload state, but not configuration.
         this.getWebSocket().request<number>("hello")
             .then(clientId => {
                 this.clientId = clientId;
+                return this.getUpdateStatus(); // detects whether server has been upgraded.
+            })
+            .then((updateStatus) => {
+
                 return this.getWebSocket().request<any>("plugins");
             })
             .then(data => {
@@ -774,7 +896,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
 
     }
 
-    maxFileUploadSize: number = 512*1024*1024;
+    maxFileUploadSize: number = 512 * 1024 * 1024;
     maxPresetUploadSize: number = 1024 * 1024;
     debug: boolean = false;
 
@@ -795,7 +917,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
                     this.androidHost = new FakeAndroidHost();
                 }
                 this.debug = !!data.debug;
-                let { socket_server_port, socket_server_address,max_upload_size } = data;
+                let { socket_server_port, socket_server_address, max_upload_size } = data;
                 if ((!socket_server_address) || socket_server_address === "*") {
                     socket_server_address = window.location.hostname;
                 }
@@ -825,6 +947,9 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
                 return false;
             })
             .then(() => {
+                return this.getUpdateStatus();
+            })
+            .then((updateStatus) => {
                 const isoRequest = new Request('iso_codes.json');
                 return fetch(isoRequest);
             })
@@ -868,7 +993,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
                     .then((data) => {
 
                         this.plugin_classes.set(new PluginClass().deserialize(data));
-                        this.validatePlugins(this.plugin_classes.get());
+                        this.validatePluginClasses(this.plugin_classes.get());
 
                         return this.getWebSocket().request<PresetIndex>("getPresets");
                     })
@@ -1131,7 +1256,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         }
     }
 
-    private onLv2StateChanged(instanceId: number, state: [boolean,any]): void {
+    private onLv2StateChanged(instanceId: number, state: [boolean, any]): void {
         let item = this.pedalboard.get().getItem(instanceId);
         item.lv2State = state;
         for (let item of this.stateChangedListeners) {
@@ -1182,33 +1307,31 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         this.webSocket?.send("setPatchProperty", body);
     }
 
-    setInputVolume(volume_db: number) : void {
-        this._setInputVolume(volume_db,true);
+    setInputVolume(volume_db: number): void {
+        this._setInputVolume(volume_db, true);
     }
-    previewInputVolume(volume_db: number) : void {
-        nullCast(this.webSocket).send("previewInputVolume",volume_db);
+    previewInputVolume(volume_db: number): void {
+        nullCast(this.webSocket).send("previewInputVolume", volume_db);
 
     }
-    previewOutputVolume(volume_db: number) : void {
-        nullCast(this.webSocket).send("previewOutputVolume",volume_db);
+    previewOutputVolume(volume_db: number): void {
+        nullCast(this.webSocket).send("previewOutputVolume", volume_db);
 
     }
 
-    private _setInputVolume(volume_db: number, notifyServer: boolean) : void {
-        let  changed: boolean = false;
+    private _setInputVolume(volume_db: number, notifyServer: boolean): void {
+        let changed: boolean = false;
 
         let pedalboard = this.pedalboard.get();
-        if (pedalboard.input_volume_db !== volume_db)
-        {
+        if (pedalboard.input_volume_db !== volume_db) {
             let newPedalboard = pedalboard.clone();
             newPedalboard.input_volume_db = volume_db;
             this.pedalboard.set(newPedalboard);
             changed = true;
         }
-        if (changed)
-        {
+        if (changed) {
             if (notifyServer) {
-                nullCast(this.webSocket).send("setInputVolume",volume_db);
+                nullCast(this.webSocket).send("setInputVolume", volume_db);
             }
 
             for (let i = 0; i < this._controlValueChangeItems.length; ++i) {
@@ -1220,26 +1343,23 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         }
     }
 
-    setOutputVolume(volume_db: number, notifyServer: boolean) : void 
-    {
-        this._setOutputVolume(volume_db,true);
+    setOutputVolume(volume_db: number, notifyServer: boolean): void {
+        this._setOutputVolume(volume_db, true);
     }
 
-    private _setOutputVolume(volume_db: number, notifyServer: boolean) : void {
-        let  changed: boolean = false;
+    private _setOutputVolume(volume_db: number, notifyServer: boolean): void {
+        let changed: boolean = false;
 
         let pedalboard = this.pedalboard.get();
-        if (pedalboard.output_volume_db !== volume_db)
-        {
+        if (pedalboard.output_volume_db !== volume_db) {
             let newPedalboard = pedalboard.clone();
             newPedalboard.output_volume_db = volume_db;
             this.pedalboard.set(newPedalboard);
             changed = true;
         }
-        if (changed)
-        {
+        if (changed) {
             if (notifyServer) {
-                nullCast(this.webSocket).send("setOutputVolume",volume_db);
+                nullCast(this.webSocket).send("setOutputVolume", volume_db);
             }
             for (let i = 0; i < this._controlValueChangeItems.length; ++i) {
                 let item = this._controlValueChangeItems[i];
@@ -1256,15 +1376,13 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         if (pedalboard === undefined) throw new PiPedalStateError("Pedalboard not ready.");
         let newPedalboard = pedalboard.clone();
 
-        if (instanceId === Pedalboard.START_CONTROL && key === "volume_db")
-        {
-            this._setInputVolume(value,notifyServer);
+        if (instanceId === Pedalboard.START_CONTROL && key === "volume_db") {
+            this._setInputVolume(value, notifyServer);
             return;
-        } else if (instanceId === Pedalboard.END_CONTROL)
-        {
-            this._setOutputVolume(value,notifyServer);
+        } else if (instanceId === Pedalboard.END_CONTROL) {
+            this._setOutputVolume(value, notifyServer);
             return;
-        } 
+        }
         let item = newPedalboard.getItem(instanceId);
         let changed = item.setControlValue(key, value);
 
@@ -1365,7 +1483,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         while (true) {
             let v = it.next();
             if (v.done) break;
-            let item = v.value; 
+            let item = v.value;
             if (item.instanceId === itemId) {
                 item.deserialize(new PedalboardItem()); // skeezy way to re-initialize.
                 item.instanceId = ++newPedalboard.nextInstanceId;
@@ -1395,16 +1513,14 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         // mouse is down. Don't update EVERYBODY, but we must change 
         // the control on the running audio plugin.
         // TODO: respect "expensive" port attribute.
-        if (instanceId === Pedalboard.START_CONTROL && key === "volume_db")
-        {
+        if (instanceId === Pedalboard.START_CONTROL && key === "volume_db") {
             this.previewInputVolume(value);
             return;
-        } else if (instanceId === Pedalboard.END_CONTROL)
-        {
+        } else if (instanceId === Pedalboard.END_CONTROL) {
             this.previewOutputVolume(value);
             return;
-        } 
-        
+        }
+
         this._setServerControl("previewControl", instanceId, key, value);
     }
 
@@ -1530,13 +1646,11 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
     }
     addPedalboardItem(instanceId: number, append: boolean): number {
         let pedalboard = this.pedalboard.get();
-        if (instanceId === Pedalboard.START_CONTROL && append)
-        {
+        if (instanceId === Pedalboard.START_CONTROL && append) {
             instanceId = pedalboard.items[0].instanceId;
             append = false;
-        } else if (instanceId === Pedalboard.END_CONTROL && !append)
-        {
-            instanceId = pedalboard.items[pedalboard.items.length-1].instanceId;
+        } else if (instanceId === Pedalboard.END_CONTROL && !append) {
+            instanceId = pedalboard.items[pedalboard.items.length - 1].instanceId;
             append = true;
         }
         let newPedalboard = pedalboard.clone();
@@ -1555,14 +1669,12 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
     }
     addPedalboardSplitItem(instanceId: number, append: boolean): number {
         let pedalboard = this.pedalboard.get();
-        
-        if (instanceId === Pedalboard.START_CONTROL && append)
-        {
+
+        if (instanceId === Pedalboard.START_CONTROL && append) {
             instanceId = pedalboard.items[0].instanceId;
             append = false;
-        } else if (instanceId === Pedalboard.END_CONTROL && !append)
-        {
-            instanceId = pedalboard.items[pedalboard.items.length-1].instanceId;
+        } else if (instanceId === Pedalboard.END_CONTROL && !append) {
+            instanceId = pedalboard.items[pedalboard.items.length - 1].instanceId;
             append = true;
         }
 
@@ -1615,7 +1727,6 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
     }
 
 
-
     saveCurrentPresetAs(newName: string, saveAfterInstanceId = -1): Promise<number> {
         // default behaviour is to save after the currently selected preset.
         if (saveAfterInstanceId === -1) {
@@ -1636,21 +1747,94 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
             });
     }
 
+    getUpdateStatus(): Promise<UpdateStatus> {
+        return new Promise<UpdateStatus>(
+            (accept, reject) => {
+                nullCast(this.webSocket)
+                    .request<UpdateStatus>('getUpdateStatus')
+                    .then((result) => {
+                        let updateStatus = new UpdateStatus().deserialize(result);
+                        this.onUpdateStatusChanged(updateStatus);
+                        accept(result);
+                    }).catch(
+                        (e) => {
+                            reject(e);
+                        }
+
+                    );
+
+            });
+
+    }
+    launchExternalUrl(url: string) {
+        if (this.isAndroidHosted()) {
+            try {
+                this.androidHost?.launchExternalUrl(url);
+            } catch (e) {
+                // if they haven't updated their client yet, just don't do it.
+            }
+
+
+        } else {
+            window.open(url, "_blank")?.focus();
+        }
+    }
+
+    updateLater(delayMs: number) {
+        let futureDate = new Date(Date.now() + delayMs);
+        localStorage.setItem('nextUpdateTime', futureDate.toISOString());
+
+        this.updatePromptForUpdate();
+    }
+
+    updateNow(): Promise<void> {
+        return new Promise<void>(
+            (accept,reject) => {
+                let updateStatus = this.updateStatus.get();
+                if (updateStatus.isOnline && updateStatus.isValid && updateStatus.getActiveRelease().updateAvailable)
+                {
+                    this.setState(State.DownloadingUpdate);
+                    let url = updateStatus.getActiveRelease().updateUrl;
+                    nullCast(this.webSocket)
+                        .request<void>('updateNow', url)
+                        .then(()=> {
+                            this.setState(State.InstallingUpdate);
+                            accept();
+                        })
+                        .catch(
+                            (e: any)=>{
+                                this.setState(State.Ready); // TODO: hopefully we haven't had an intermediate disconnect.
+                                reject(e);
+                            });
+                } else {
+                    reject(new Error("Invalid  update request."));
+                }
+        
+            }   
+        );
+    }
+
+    getUpdateTime(): Date | null {
+        let item = localStorage.getItem('nextUpdateTime');
+        if (item) {
+            return new Date(item);
+        }
+        return null;
+    }
     // deprecated.
     requestFileList(piPedalFileProperty: UiFileProperty): Promise<string[]> {
         return nullCast(this.webSocket)
             .request<string[]>('requestFileList', piPedalFileProperty);
     }
-    requestFileList2(relativeDirectoryPath: string,piPedalFileProperty: UiFileProperty): Promise<FileEntry[]> {
+    requestFileList2(relativeDirectoryPath: string, piPedalFileProperty: UiFileProperty): Promise<FileEntry[]> {
         return nullCast(this.webSocket)
             .request<FileEntry[]>('requestFileList2',
-                {relativePath: relativeDirectoryPath, fileProperty: piPedalFileProperty}
+                { relativePath: relativeDirectoryPath, fileProperty: piPedalFileProperty }
             );
     }
-    
-    deleteUserFile(fileName: string) : Promise<boolean>
-    {
-        return nullCast(this.webSocket).request<boolean>('deleteUserFile',fileName);
+
+    deleteUserFile(fileName: string): Promise<boolean> {
+        return nullCast(this.webSocket).request<boolean>('deleteUserFile', fileName);
     }
 
 
@@ -1718,7 +1902,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
 
 
     setJackSettings(jackSettings: JackChannelSelection): void {
-        this.reconnectReason = ReconnectReason.LoadingSettings;
+        this.expectDisconnect(ReconnectReason.LoadingSettings);
         this.webSocket?.send("setJackSettings", jackSettings);
     }
 
@@ -1823,7 +2007,15 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         }
 
     }
-
+    private isClosed = false;
+    close() {
+        if (!this.isClosed)
+        {
+            this.isClosed = true;
+            this.webSocket?.close();
+            this.webSocket = undefined;
+        }
+    }
     setPatchProperty(instanceId: number, uri: string, value: any): Promise<boolean> {
         let result = new Promise<boolean>((resolve, reject) => {
             if (this.webSocket) {
@@ -2107,7 +2299,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         window.open(url, "_blank");
     }
 
-    uploadFile(uploadPage: string, file: File, contentType: string = "application/octet-stream",  abortController?: AbortController): Promise<string> {
+    uploadFile(uploadPage: string, file: File, contentType: string = "application/octet-stream", abortController?: AbortController): Promise<string> {
         let result = new Promise<string>((resolve, reject) => {
             try {
                 if (file.size > this.maxFileUploadSize) {
@@ -2117,17 +2309,15 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
                 let parsedUrl = new URL(url);
                 let fileNameOnly = file.name.split('/').pop()?.split('\\')?.pop();
                 let query = parsedUrl.search;
-                if (query.length === 0)
-                {
+                if (query.length === 0) {
                     query += '?';
                 } else {
                     query += '&';
                 }
-                if (!fileNameOnly)
-                {
+                if (!fileNameOnly) {
                     reject("Invalid filename.");
                 }
-                query += "filename=" + encodeURIComponent(fileNameOnly??"");
+                query += "filename=" + encodeURIComponent(fileNameOnly ?? "");
                 parsedUrl.search = query;
                 url = parsedUrl.toString();
                 fetch(
@@ -2146,7 +2336,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
                             reject("Upload failed. " + response.statusText);
                             return;
                         } else {
-                            return response.json(); 
+                            return response.json();
                         }
                     })
                     .then((json) => {
@@ -2254,8 +2444,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         return new Promise<void>((resolve, reject) => {
 
             let ws = this.webSocket;
-            if (!ws) 
-            {
+            if (!ws) {
                 resolve();
                 return;
             }
@@ -2271,8 +2460,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
                 });
         });
     }
-    createNewSampleDirectory(relativePath: string, uiFileProperty: UiFileProperty) : Promise<string>
-    {
+    createNewSampleDirectory(relativePath: string, uiFileProperty: UiFileProperty): Promise<string> {
         return new Promise<string>((resolve, reject) => {
 
             let ws = this.webSocket;
@@ -2295,8 +2483,8 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
                 });
         });
     }
-    
-    getFilePropertyDirectoryTree(uiFileProperty: UiFileProperty) : Promise<FilePropertyDirectoryTree> {
+
+    getFilePropertyDirectoryTree(uiFileProperty: UiFileProperty): Promise<FilePropertyDirectoryTree> {
         return new Promise<FilePropertyDirectoryTree>((resolve, reject) => {
             let ws = this.webSocket;
             if (!ws) {
@@ -2306,15 +2494,14 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
             ws.request<FilePropertyDirectoryTree>(
                 "getFilePropertyDirectoryTree",
                 uiFileProperty
-            ).then((result)=> {
+            ).then((result) => {
                 resolve(new FilePropertyDirectoryTree().deserialize(result));
             }).catch((e) => {
                 reject(e);
             });
         });
     }
-    renameFilePropertyFile(oldRelativePath: string, newRelativePath: string, uiFileProperty: UiFileProperty) : Promise<string>
-    {
+    renameFilePropertyFile(oldRelativePath: string, newRelativePath: string, uiFileProperty: UiFileProperty): Promise<string> {
         return new Promise<string>((resolve, reject) => {
 
             let ws = this.webSocket;
@@ -2441,11 +2628,11 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
                 .catch((err) => {
                     //resolve();
                 });
-                resolve();
+            resolve();
 
         });
-        this.reconnectReason = ReconnectReason.LoadingSettings;
-        this.webSocket?.reconnect(); // close immediately, and wait for recoonnect.
+        this.expectDisconnect(ReconnectReason.LoadingSettings);
+        // this.webSocket?.reconnect(); // avoid races by letting the server do it for us.
         return result;
     }
 
@@ -2524,8 +2711,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
 
         ++ix;
         if (ix >= uiPlugin.controls.length) return;
-        while (!uiPlugin.controls[ix].is_input)
-        {
+        while (!uiPlugin.controls[ix].is_input) {
             ++ix;
             if (ix >= uiPlugin.controls.length) return;
         }
@@ -2558,8 +2744,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
 
         --ix;
         if (ix < 0) return;
-        while (!uiPlugin.controls[ix].is_input)
-        {
+        while (!uiPlugin.controls[ix].is_input) {
             --ix;
             if (ix < 0) return;
         }
@@ -2590,6 +2775,20 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
     }
 
 
+    setUpdatePolicy(updatePolicy: UpdatePolicyT) : void {
+        let iPolicy = updatePolicy as number;
+        if (this.webSocket) {
+            this.webSocket.send("setUpdatePolicy", iPolicy);
+        }
+
+    }
+    forceUpdateCheck() {
+        if (this.webSocket) {
+            this.webSocket.send("forceUpdateCheck");
+        }
+
+    }
+
     preloadImages(imageList: string): void {
         let imageNames = imageList.split(';');
         for (let i = 0; i < imageNames.length; ++i) {
@@ -2619,8 +2818,7 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
     }
 
     // returns the ID of the new preset.
-    newPresetItem(createAfter: number): Promise<number>
-    {
+    newPresetItem(createAfter: number): Promise<number> {
         return nullCast(this.webSocket).request<number>("newPreset");
     }
 
@@ -2630,14 +2828,13 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
 
     setTheme(value: ColorTheme) {
 
-        if (this.getTheme() !== value)
-        {
+        if (this.getTheme() !== value) {
             setColorScheme(value);
-            setTimeout(()=>{
+            setTimeout(() => {
                 this.reloadPage();
             },
-            200);
-}
+                200);
+        }
     }
 
 
@@ -2647,7 +2844,6 @@ export class PiPedalModel //implements PiPedalModel
         window.location.href = url;
         //window.location.reload();
     }
-
 };
 
 let instance: PiPedalModel | undefined = undefined;

react/src/PiPedalSocket.tsx

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ export interface PiPedalSocketListener {
     onError: (message: string, exception?: Error) => void;
     onConnectionLost: () => void;
     onReconnect:  () => void;
-    onReconnecting: (retry: number, maxRetries: number) => void;
+    onReconnecting: (retry: number, maxRetries: number) => boolean;
 };
 
 class PiPedalSocket {
@@ -183,6 +183,7 @@ class PiPedalSocket {
 
     handleClose(_event: any): any {
         if (this.retrying) {
+            this.close();
             // treat this as a fatal error.
             if (this.listener) {
                 this.listener.onError("Server connection lost.");
@@ -230,7 +231,9 @@ class PiPedalSocket {
             this.close();
         }
 
-        this.listener.onReconnecting(this.retryCount,MAX_RETRIES);
+        if (!this.listener.onReconnecting(this.retryCount,MAX_RETRIES)) {
+            return;
+        }
         ++this.retryCount;
 
         this.connectInternal_()
@@ -262,6 +265,7 @@ class PiPedalSocket {
                 this.socket.onmessage = null;
                 this.socket.onopen = null;
                 this.socket.close();
+                this.socket = undefined;
             }
         } catch  (ignored)
         {

react/src/SettingsDialog.tsx

@@ -393,6 +393,12 @@ const SettingsDialog = withStyles(styles, { withTheme: true })(
                 showThemeSelectDialog: true
             });
         }
+
+        handleCheckForUpdates()
+        {
+            this.model.showUpdateDialog();
+        }
+        
         handleMidiMessageSettings() {
             this.setState({
                 showSystemMidiBindingsDialog: true
@@ -786,6 +792,18 @@ const SettingsDialog = withStyles(styles, { withTheme: true })(
                                         </div>
                                     </ButtonBase>
 
+                                    <ButtonBase
+                                        className={classes.setting}
+                                        onClick={() => { this.handleCheckForUpdates(); }}  >
+                                        <SelectHoverBackground selected={false} showHover={true} />
+                                        <div style={{ width: "100%" }}>
+                                            <Typography className={classes.primaryItem} display="block" variant="body2" color="textPrimary" noWrap>
+                                                Check for updates...</Typography>
+                                        </div>
+                                    </ButtonBase>
+
+
+
                                     <ButtonBase className={classes.setting} disabled={disableShutdown}
                                         onClick={() => this.handleRestart()}  >
                                         <SelectHoverBackground selected={false} showHover={true} />

react/src/UpdateDialog.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,284 @@
+/*
+ * MIT License
+ * 
+ * Copyright (c) 2022 Robin E. R. Davies
+ * 
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+ * this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+ * the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to
+ * use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies
+ * of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do
+ * so, subject to the following conditions:
+ * 
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+ * copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ * 
+ * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+ * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
+ * AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
+ * LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
+ * OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
+ * SOFTWARE.
+ */
+
+import React from 'react';
+import Button from '@mui/material/Button';
+import Typography from '@mui/material/Typography';
+import Divider from '@mui/material/Divider';
+import DialogEx from './DialogEx';
+import DialogTitle from '@mui/material/DialogTitle';
+import DialogActions from '@mui/material/DialogActions';
+import DialogContent from '@mui/material/DialogContent';
+import { UpdateStatus, UpdateRelease, UpdatePolicyT,intToUpdatePolicyT } from './Updater';
+import { PiPedalModelFactory, PiPedalModel } from './PiPedalModel';
+import Select from '@mui/material/Select';
+import MenuItem from '@mui/material/MenuItem';
+
+
+//const UPDATE_CHECK_DELAY = 86400000; // one day in ms.
+const UPDATE_CHECK_DELAY = 30 * 1000; // testing
+const CLOSE_DELAY = 100; // ms. 
+
+
+
+export interface UpdateDialogProps {
+    open: boolean;
+};
+
+export interface UpdateDialogState {
+    updateStatus: UpdateStatus;
+    compactLandscape: boolean;
+    alertDialogOpen: boolean;
+    alertDialogMessage: string;
+};
+
+export default class UpdateDialog extends React.Component<UpdateDialogProps, UpdateDialogState> {
+    private model: PiPedalModel;
+
+    constructor(props: UpdateDialogProps) {
+        super(props);
+        this.model = PiPedalModelFactory.getInstance();
+        let updateStatus = this.model.updateStatus.get();
+        this.state = {
+            updateStatus: updateStatus,
+            compactLandscape: false,
+            alertDialogOpen: false,
+            alertDialogMessage: ""
+        };
+        this.onUpdateStatusChanged = this.onUpdateStatusChanged.bind(this);
+    }
+
+    onUpdateStatusChanged(newValue: UpdateStatus)
+    {
+        if (!newValue.equals(this.state.updateStatus))
+        {
+            this.setState({updateStatus: newValue});
+        }
+    }
+
+    private mounted: boolean = false;
+
+    componentDidMount() {
+        this.mounted = true;
+        this.model.updateStatus.addOnChangedHandler(this.onUpdateStatusChanged);
+    }
+    componentWillUnmount() {
+        this.model.updateStatus.removeOnChangedHandler(this.onUpdateStatusChanged);
+        this.mounted = false;
+
+    }
+
+
+    private handleOk() {
+
+    }
+    private handleUpdateNow() {
+        this.model.updateNow()
+            .then(() => { })   // all handling is done by model, so we can run ui-less.
+            .catch((e: any) => {
+                this.showAlert(e.toString());
+            });
+    }
+    private updatingLater: boolean = false;
+    private handleUpdateLater() {
+        this.updatingLater = true;
+        this.model.updateLater(UPDATE_CHECK_DELAY);
+        this.model.showUpdateDialog(false); // allow close if launched from the settings window.
+    }
+
+    private handleClose() {
+        // ideally, we'd like to not close at all, but it screws up the nav backstack if we dont.
+        // so, close, but do so very briefly
+        if (!this.updatingLater) {
+            this.model.updateLater(CLOSE_DELAY); // close and re-open immediately.
+        }
+        this.updatingLater = false;
+        this.model.showUpdateDialog(false);
+    }
+
+    handleCloseAlert() {
+        this.setState({ alertDialogOpen: false, alertDialogMessage: "" })
+    }
+
+    showAlert(message: string) {
+        this.setState({ alertDialogOpen: true, alertDialogMessage: message });
+    }
+
+    onViewReleaseNotes() {
+        this.model.launchExternalUrl("https://rerdavies.github.io/pipedal/ReleaseNotes.html");
+    }
+
+    upToDate(): boolean {
+        let updateStatus = this.state.updateStatus;
+        let updateRelease: UpdateRelease = updateStatus.getActiveRelease();
+        return updateStatus.isValid && !updateRelease.updateAvailable
+    }
+    canUpgrade(): boolean {
+        let updateStatus = this.state.updateStatus;
+        let updateRelease = updateStatus.getActiveRelease();
+
+        return updateStatus.isValid && updateStatus.isOnline && updateRelease.updateAvailable;
+    }
+
+    private onPolicySelected(newValue: string | number): void {
+        if (newValue.toString() === "") return;
+        let updatePolicy =  intToUpdatePolicyT(newValue as number);
+        this.model.setUpdatePolicy(updatePolicy);
+
+    }
+    render() {
+        let updateStatus = this.state.updateStatus;
+        let updateRelease = updateStatus.getActiveRelease();
+        let upToDate = this.upToDate();
+        let canUpgrade = this.canUpgrade();
+        let compact = this.state.compactLandscape;
+        return (
+            <DialogEx tag="update" open={this.props.open} onClose={() => { this.handleClose(); }}
+                            style={{ userSelect: "none" }}
+            >
+                {
+                    (!compact) &&
+                    (
+                        <DialogTitle>
+                            <div style={{ display: "flex", flexFlow: "row noWrap", alignItems: "center" }} >
+                                <Typography style={{ flexGrow: 1, flexShrink: 1, marginRight: 20 }} noWrap>PiPedal Updates</Typography>
+                                <Select style={{opacity: 0.6}} variant="standard" value={updateStatus.updatePolicy as number} onChange={(ev) => { this.onPolicySelected(ev.target.value); }}>
+                                    <MenuItem value={UpdatePolicyT.ReleaseOnly as number}>Release only</MenuItem>
+                                    <MenuItem value={UpdatePolicyT.ReleaseOrBeta as number}>Release or Beta</MenuItem>
+                                    <MenuItem value={UpdatePolicyT.Development as number}>Development</MenuItem>
+                                </Select>
+                            </div>
+
+                        </DialogTitle>
+                    )
+                }
+                {
+                    (!compact) &&
+                    (
+                        <Divider />
+                    )
+                }
+
+                <DialogContent>
+                    {
+                        (upToDate) && (
+                            <Typography variant="body2" color="textSecondary" style={{ marginBottom: 12 }}>
+                                PiPedal is up to date.
+                            </Typography>
+                        )
+                    }
+                    {(canUpgrade) && (
+                        <Typography variant="body2" color="textSecondary" style={{ marginBottom: 12 }}>
+                            A new version of the PiPedal server is available. Would you like to update now?
+                        </Typography>
+
+
+                    )
+                    }
+
+                    <div style={{ display: "flex", flexFlow: "row noWrap" }}>
+                        <div>
+                            <Typography noWrap variant="body2" color="textSecondary" >
+                                Current version:
+                            </Typography>
+                            {(canUpgrade) && (
+                                <Typography noWrap variant="body2" color="textSecondary" style={{ marginTop: 4 }} >
+                                    Update  version:
+                                </Typography>
+                            )
+                            }
+                        </div>
+                        <div style={{ flexShrink: 1, flexGrow: 1, marginLeft: 12 }}>
+                            <Typography noWrap variant="body2" color="textSecondary" >
+                                {updateStatus.currentVersionDisplayName}
+                            </Typography>
+                            {(canUpgrade) && (
+                                <Typography noWrap variant="body2" color="textSecondary" style={{ marginTop: 4 }} >
+                                    {updateRelease.upgradeVersionDisplayName}
+                                </Typography>
+                            )
+                            }
+                        </div>
+                    </div>
+                    {
+                        (updateStatus.errorMessage.length !== 0) &&
+                        (
+                            <Typography variant="body2" style={{ marginTop: 12 }}>
+                                {
+                                    updateStatus.errorMessage
+                                }
+                            </Typography>
+
+                        )
+                    }
+                    <Button style={{ marginLeft: 16, marginTop: 12 }} onClick={() => { this.onViewReleaseNotes(); }}>View release notes</Button>
+                </DialogContent>
+                <Divider />
+                <DialogActions>
+                    {
+                        (canUpgrade) ?
+                            (
+                                <div style={{ display: "flex", flexFlow: "row noWrap", alignItems: "center" }}>
+                                    <Button variant="dialogSecondary" onClick={() => { this.handleUpdateLater(); }}>Update later</Button>
+                                    <div style={{ flexGrow: 1, flexShrink: 1 }} />
+                                    <Button variant="dialogPrimary" onClick={() => { this.handleUpdateNow(); }}>Update now</Button>
+                                </div>
+
+
+                            ) : (
+
+                                <div style={{ display: "flex", flexFlow: "row noWrap", alignItems: "center" }}
+                                    onClick={()=>{ this.model.showUpdateDialog(false); }}
+                                >
+                                    <div style={{ flexGrow: 1, flexShrink: 1 }} />
+                                    <Button variant="dialogPrimary">OK</Button>
+                                </div>
+                            )
+                    }
+                </DialogActions>
+
+                <DialogEx
+                    tag="UpdateAlert"
+                    open={this.state.alertDialogOpen}
+                    onClose={() => { this.handleCloseAlert(); }}
+                    aria-describedby="Alert Dialog"
+                >
+                    <DialogContent>
+                        <Typography variant="body2" color="secondaryText">
+                            {
+                                this.state.alertDialogMessage
+                            }
+                        </Typography>
+                    </DialogContent>
+                    <DialogActions>
+                        <Button variant="dialogPrimary" onClick={() => { this.handleCloseAlert(); }} autoFocus>
+                            OK
+                        </Button>
+                    </DialogActions>
+                </DialogEx>
+
+            </DialogEx >
+        );
+    }
+}

react/src/Updater.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2024 Robin Davies
+//
+// Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+// this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+// the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to
+// use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of
+// the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+// subject to the following conditions:
+//
+// The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+// copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+//
+// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+// IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+// FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+// COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER
+// IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN
+// CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+
+export enum UpdatePolicyT {
+    // must match declaration in Updater.hpp
+    ReleaseOnly = 0,
+    ReleaseOrBeta = 1,
+    Development = 2,
+
+};
+export function intToUpdatePolicyT(intValue: number): UpdatePolicyT {
+    return (Object.values(UpdatePolicyT).find(enumValue => enumValue === intValue)) as UpdatePolicyT;
+}
+export class UpdateRelease {
+    deserialize(input: any): UpdateRelease {
+        this.updateAvailable = input.updateAvailable;
+        this.upgradeVersion = input.upgradeVersion;
+        this.upgradeVersionDisplayName = input.upgradeVersionDisplayName;
+        this.assetName = input.assetName;
+        this.updateUrl = input.updateUrl;
+        return this;
+    }
+
+
+    updateAvailable: boolean = false;
+    upgradeVersion: string = ""; //just the version.
+    upgradeVersionDisplayName: string = ""; // display name for the version.
+    assetName: string = ""; // filename only 
+    updateUrl: string = ""; // url from which to download the .deb file.
+
+    equals(other: UpdateRelease): boolean {
+        return (this.updateAvailable === other.updateAvailable) &&
+            (this.upgradeVersion === other.upgradeVersion) &&
+            (this.upgradeVersionDisplayName === other.upgradeVersionDisplayName) &&
+            (this.assetName === other.assetName) &&
+            (this.updateUrl === other.updateUrl)
+            ;
+    }
+};
+
+export class UpdateStatus {
+    lastUpdateTime: number = 0;
+    isValid: boolean = false;
+    errorMessage: string = "";
+    updatePolicy: UpdatePolicyT = UpdatePolicyT.ReleaseOrBeta;
+    isOnline: boolean = false;
+    currentVersion: string = "";
+    currentVersionDisplayName: string = "";
+
+    releaseOnlyRelease: UpdateRelease = new UpdateRelease();
+    releaseOrBetaRelease: UpdateRelease = new UpdateRelease();
+    devRelease: UpdateRelease = new UpdateRelease();
+
+    deserialize(input: any): UpdateStatus {
+        this.lastUpdateTime = input.lastUpdateTime;
+        this.isValid = input.isValid;
+        this.errorMessage = input.errorMessage;
+        this.isOnline = input.isOnline;
+        this.updatePolicy = intToUpdatePolicyT(input.updatePolicy);
+        this.currentVersion = input.currentVersion;
+        this.currentVersionDisplayName = input.currentVersionDisplayName;
+        this.releaseOnlyRelease = new UpdateRelease().deserialize(input.releaseOnlyRelease);
+        this.releaseOrBetaRelease = new UpdateRelease().deserialize(input.releaseOrBetaRelease);
+        this.devRelease = new UpdateRelease().deserialize(input.devRelease);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    static deserialize_array(input: any): UpdateStatus[] {
+        let result: UpdateStatus[] = [];
+        for (let i = 0; i < input.length; ++i) {
+            result[i] = new UpdateStatus().deserialize(input[i]);
+        }
+        return result;
+    }
+    getActiveRelease(): UpdateRelease {
+        switch (this.updatePolicy) {
+            case UpdatePolicyT.ReleaseOnly:
+                return this.releaseOnlyRelease; 
+            case UpdatePolicyT.ReleaseOrBeta:
+                return this.releaseOrBetaRelease;
+            case UpdatePolicyT.Development:
+                return this.devRelease;
+            default:
+                throw new Error("Invalid argument.");
+        }
+    }
+    equals(other: UpdateStatus): boolean {
+        return (this.isValid === other.isValid)
+            && (this.lastUpdateTime === other.lastUpdateTime)
+            && (this.errorMessage === other.errorMessage)
+            && (this.isOnline === other.isOnline)
+            && (this.currentVersion === other.currentVersion)
+            && (this.currentVersionDisplayName === other.currentVersionDisplayName)
+            && (this.releaseOnlyRelease.equals(other.releaseOnlyRelease))
+            && (this.releaseOrBetaRelease.equals(other.releaseOrBetaRelease))
+            && (this.devRelease.equals(other.devRelease))
+            ;
+        // other properties are contractually dealt with.
+
+    }
+
+
+}

src/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -89,12 +89,17 @@ set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED True)
 
 set (USE_SANITIZE False)
 
+
 if (!ENABLE_VST3)
-    set (CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -Werror -Wno-psabi")
+    set (CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -Werror -Wno-psabi -DARCHITECTURE=${CPACK_SYSTEM_NAME}")
 else()
     set (CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS  "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -Wno-multichar -Wno-psabi")
 endif()
 
+EXECUTE_PROCESS( COMMAND dpkg --print-architecture COMMAND tr -d '\n' OUTPUT_VARIABLE DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE )
+message(STATUS DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE="${DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE}")
+
+add_compile_definitions(DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE="${DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE}")
 
 if (CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE MATCHES Debug)
     message(STATUS "Debug build")
@@ -132,6 +137,7 @@ else()
 endif()
 
 set (PIPEDAL_SOURCES
+    Updater.cpp Updater.hpp
     Lv2PluginChangeMonitor.cpp Lv2PluginChangeMonitor.hpp
     WebServerConfig.cpp WebServerConfig.hpp
     Locale.hpp Locale.cpp
@@ -278,7 +284,8 @@ add_executable(pipedaltest testMain.cpp
 
     InvertingMutexTest.cpp
     jsonTest.cpp
-
+    UpdaterTest.cpp
+    
     utilTest.cpp
     
     AlsaDriverTest.cpp

src/PiPedalModel.cpp

@@ -73,6 +73,11 @@ PiPedalModel::PiPedalModel()
 #else
     this->jackServerSettings = this->storage.GetJackServerSettings();
 #endif
+    updater.SetUpdateListener(
+        [this](const UpdateStatus&updateStatus)
+        {
+            this->OnUpdateStatusChanged(updateStatus);
+        });
 }
 
 void PiPedalModel::Close()
@@ -386,9 +391,9 @@ void PiPedalModel::OnNotifyMaybeLv2StateChanged(uint64_t instanceId)
 
             item->stateUpdateCount(item->stateUpdateCount() + 1);
 
-            IPiPedalModelSubscriber **t = new IPiPedalModelSubscriber *[this->subscribers.size()];
 
             Lv2PluginState newState = item->lv2State();
+            IPiPedalModelSubscriber **t = new IPiPedalModelSubscriber *[this->subscribers.size()];
             for (size_t i = 0; i < subscribers.size(); ++i)
             {
                 t[i] = this->subscribers[i];
@@ -2172,3 +2177,49 @@ void PiPedalModel::SetRestartListener(std::function<void(void)> &&listener)
 {
     this->restartListener = std::move(listener);
 }
+
+void PiPedalModel::OnUpdateStatusChanged(const UpdateStatus&updateStatus)
+{
+    std::lock_guard<std::recursive_mutex> lock(mutex);
+
+    if (this->currentUpdateStatus != updateStatus)
+    {
+        this->currentUpdateStatus = updateStatus;
+        FireUpdateStatusChanged(this->currentUpdateStatus);
+    }
+}
+void PiPedalModel::FireUpdateStatusChanged(const UpdateStatus&updateStatus)
+{
+    std::lock_guard<std::recursive_mutex> lock(mutex);
+
+    std::vector<IPiPedalModelSubscriber *> t;
+    t.reserve(subscribers.size());
+
+    for (auto subscriber: subscribers)
+    {
+        t.push_back(subscriber);
+    }
+
+    for (auto subscriber: t)
+    {
+        subscriber->OnUpdateStatusChanged(updateStatus);
+    }
+}
+UpdateStatus PiPedalModel::GetUpdateStatus()  {
+    std::lock_guard<std::recursive_mutex> lock(mutex);
+    return currentUpdateStatus;
+}
+
+void PiPedalModel::UpdateNow(const std::string&updateUrl)
+{
+    sleep(5);
+    throw std::runtime_error("Not implemented yet.");
+
+}
+void PiPedalModel::ForceUpdateCheck() {
+    updater.ForceUpdateCheck();
+}
+void PiPedalModel::SetUpdatePolicy(UpdatePolicyT updatePolicy)
+{
+    updater.SetUpdatePolicy(updatePolicy);
+}

src/PiPedalModel.hpp

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 #include <functional>
 #include <filesystem>
 #include "Banks.hpp"
+#include "Updater.hpp"
 #include "PiPedalConfiguration.hpp"
 #include "JackServerSettings.hpp"
 #include "WifiConfigSettings.hpp"
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ namespace pipedal
         virtual void OnControlChanged(int64_t clientId, int64_t pedalItemId, const std::string &symbol, float value) = 0;
         virtual void OnInputVolumeChanged(float value) = 0;
         virtual void OnOutputVolumeChanged(float value) = 0;
-
+        virtual void OnUpdateStatusChanged(const UpdateStatus&updateStatus) = 0;
         virtual void OnLv2StateChanged(int64_t pedalItemId,const Lv2PluginState&newState ) = 0;
         virtual void OnVst3ControlChanged(int64_t clientId, int64_t pedalItemId, const std::string &symbol, float value, const std::string &state) = 0;
         virtual void OnPedalboardChanged(int64_t clientId, const Pedalboard &pedalboard) = 0;
@@ -86,6 +87,10 @@ namespace pipedal
     class PiPedalModel : private IAudioHostCallbacks
     {
     private:
+
+        UpdateStatus currentUpdateStatus;
+        Updater updater;
+        void OnUpdateStatusChanged(const UpdateStatus&updateStatus);
         std::function<void(void)> restartListener;
 
         std::unique_ptr<Lv2PluginChangeMonitor> pluginChangeMonitor;
@@ -199,6 +204,9 @@ namespace pipedal
         PiPedalModel();
         virtual ~PiPedalModel();
 
+        UpdateStatus GetUpdateStatus();
+        void UpdateNow(const std::string&updateUrl);
+        void FireUpdateStatusChanged(const UpdateStatus&updateStatus);
         uint16_t GetWebPort() const { return webPort; }
         std::filesystem::path GetPluginUploadDirectory() const;
         void Close();
@@ -334,7 +342,8 @@ namespace pipedal
 
         std::map<std::string, bool> GetFavorites() const;
         void SetFavorites(const std::map<std::string, bool> &favorites);
-
+        void SetUpdatePolicy(UpdatePolicyT updatePolicy);
+        void ForceUpdateCheck();
         std::vector<std::string> GetFileList(const UiFileProperty&fileProperty);
         std::vector<FileEntry> GetFileList2(const std::string &relativePath,const UiFileProperty&fileProperty);
 

src/PiPedalSocket.cpp

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include "pch.h"
 
 #include "PiPedalSocket.hpp"
+#include "Updater.hpp"
 #include "json.hpp"
 #include "viewstream.hpp"
 #include "PiPedalVersion.hpp"
@@ -1001,7 +1002,19 @@ public:
             pReader->read(&handle);
             this->model.CancelMonitorPatchProperty(this->clientId, handle);
         }
-
+        else if (message == "getUpdateStatus")
+        {
+            UpdateStatus updateStatus = model.GetUpdateStatus();
+            this->Reply(replyTo,"getUpdateStatus",updateStatus);
+        }
+        else if (message == "updateNow")
+        {
+            std::string updateUrl;
+            pReader->read(&updateUrl);
+            model.UpdateNow(updateUrl);
+            bool result = true;
+            this->Reply(replyTo,"updateNow",result);
+        }
         else if (message == "getJackStatus")
         {
             JackHostStatus status = model.GetJackStatus();
@@ -1442,6 +1455,18 @@ public:
             pReader->read(&favorites);
             this->model.SetFavorites(favorites);
         }
+        else if (message == "setUpdatePolicy")
+        {
+            int iPolicy;
+            pReader->read(&iPolicy);
+
+            this->model.SetUpdatePolicy((UpdatePolicyT)iPolicy);
+        }
+        else if (message == "forceUpdateCheck")
+        {   
+            this->model.ForceUpdateCheck();
+
+        }
         else if (message == "setSystemMidiBindings")
         {
             std::vector<MidiBinding> bindings;
@@ -1581,6 +1606,10 @@ protected:
     }
 
 private:
+    virtual void OnUpdateStatusChanged(const UpdateStatus&updateStatus) {
+        Send("onUpdateStatusChanged",updateStatus);
+    }
+
     virtual void OnLv2StateChanged(int64_t instanceId, const Lv2PluginState &state)
     {
         Lv2StateChangedBody message { (uint64_t)instanceId, state};

src/Updater.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,609 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2024 Robin Davies
+//
+// Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+// this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+// the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to
+// use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of
+// the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+// subject to the following conditions:
+//
+// The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+// copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+//
+// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+// IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+// FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+// COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER
+// IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN
+// CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+
+#include "Updater.hpp"
+#include "json.hpp"
+#include "config.hpp"
+#include <sys/eventfd.h>
+#include <unistd.h>
+#include <stdexcept>
+#include <chrono>
+#include <poll.h>
+#include "Lv2Log.hpp"
+#include "SysExec.hpp"
+#include "json_variant.hpp"
+#include "ss.hpp"
+#include "Lv2Log.hpp"
+#include <algorithm>
+
+using namespace pipedal;
+
+#define TEST_UPDATE
+
+#ifndef DEBUG
+#undef TEST_UPDATE // do NOT leat this leak into a production build!
+#endif
+
+static constexpr uint64_t CLOSE_EVENT = 0;
+static constexpr uint64_t CHECK_NOW_EVENT = 1;
+static constexpr uint64_t UNCACHED_CHECK_NOW_EVENT = 2;
+
+
+static std::filesystem::path WORKING_DIRECTORY = "/var/pipedal/updates";
+static std::filesystem::path UPDATE_STATUS_CACHE_FILE = WORKING_DIRECTORY / "updateStatus.json";
+
+static std::string GITHUB_RELEASES_URL = "https://api.github.com/repos/rerdavies/pipedal/releases";
+
+Updater::clock::duration Updater::updateRate = std::chrono::duration_cast<Updater::clock::duration>(std::chrono::days(1));
+static std::chrono::system_clock::duration CACHE_DURATION = std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::system_clock::duration>(std::chrono::minutes(30));
+
+std::mutex cacheMutex;
+static UpdateStatus GetCachedUpdateStatus()
+{
+    std::lock_guard lock{cacheMutex};
+    try
+    {
+        if (std::filesystem::exists(UPDATE_STATUS_CACHE_FILE))
+        {
+            std::ifstream f{UPDATE_STATUS_CACHE_FILE};
+            if (!f.is_open())
+            {
+                json_reader reader(f);
+                UpdateStatus status;
+                reader.read(&status);
+                return status;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception &e)
+    {
+        Lv2Log::error(SS("Unable to read cached UpdateStatus. " << e.what()));
+    }
+    return UpdateStatus();
+}
+
+static void SetCachedUpdateStatus(UpdateStatus &updateStatus)
+{
+    std::lock_guard lock{cacheMutex};
+    updateStatus.LastUpdateTime(std::chrono::system_clock::now());
+    try
+    {
+        std::ofstream f{UPDATE_STATUS_CACHE_FILE};
+        json_writer writer{f};
+        writer.write(updateStatus);
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception &e)
+    {
+        Lv2Log::error(SS("Unable to write cached UpdateStatus. " << e.what()));
+    }
+}
+Updater::Updater()
+{
+    cachedUpdateStatus = GetCachedUpdateStatus();
+    updatePolicy = cachedUpdateStatus.UpdatePolicy();
+    currentResult = cachedUpdateStatus;
+
+    int fds[2];
+    int rc = pipe(fds);
+    if (rc != 0)
+    {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Updater: cant create event pipe.");
+    }
+    this->event_reader = fds[0];
+    this->event_writer = fds[1];
+
+    this->thread = std::make_unique<std::thread>([this]()
+                                                 { ThreadProc(); });
+    CheckNow();
+}
+Updater::~Updater()
+{
+    Stop();
+}
+void Updater::Stop()
+{
+    if (stopped)
+    {
+        return;
+    }
+    stopped = true;
+
+    if (event_writer != -1)
+    {
+        uint64_t value = CLOSE_EVENT;
+        write(this->event_writer, &value, sizeof(uint64_t));
+    }
+    if (thread)
+    {
+        thread->join();
+        thread = nullptr;
+    }
+    if (event_reader != -1)
+    {
+        close(event_reader);
+    }
+    if (event_writer != -1)
+    {
+        close(event_writer);
+    }
+}
+
+void Updater::CheckNow()
+{
+    uint64_t value = CHECK_NOW_EVENT;
+    write(this->event_writer, &value, sizeof(uint64_t));
+}
+
+void Updater::SetUpdateListener(UpdateListener &&listener)
+{
+    std::lock_guard lock{mutex};
+    this->listener = listener;
+    if (hasInfo)
+    {
+        listener(currentResult);
+    }
+}
+
+void Updater::ThreadProc()
+{
+    struct pollfd pfd;
+    pfd.fd = this->event_reader;
+    pfd.events = POLLIN;
+
+    while (true)
+    {
+        int ret = poll(&pfd, 1, std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::milliseconds>(updateRate).count()); // 1000 ms timeout
+
+        if (ret == -1)
+        {
+            Lv2Log::error("Updater: Poll error.");
+            break;
+        }
+        else if (ret == 0)
+        {
+            CheckForUpdate(true);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            // Event occurred
+            uint64_t value;
+            ssize_t s = read(event_reader, &value, sizeof(uint64_t));
+            if (s == sizeof(uint64_t))
+            {
+                if (value == CHECK_NOW_EVENT)
+                {
+                    CheckForUpdate(true);
+                } else if (value == UNCACHED_CHECK_NOW_EVENT)
+                {
+                    CheckForUpdate(false);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+class GithubAsset
+{
+public:
+    GithubAsset(json_variant &v);
+    std::string name;
+    std::string browser_download_url;
+    std::string updated_at;
+};
+class GithubRelease
+{
+public:
+    GithubRelease(json_variant &v);
+
+    const GithubAsset *GetDownloadForCurrentArchitecture() const;
+    bool draft = true;
+    bool prerelease = true;
+    std::string name;
+    std::string url;
+    std::string version;
+    std::string body;
+    std::vector<GithubAsset> assets;
+    std::string published_at;
+};
+
+GithubAsset::GithubAsset(json_variant &v)
+{
+    auto o = v.as_object();
+    this->name = o->at("name").as_string();
+    this->browser_download_url = o->at("browser_download_url").as_string();
+    this->updated_at = o->at("updated_at").as_string();
+}
+GithubRelease::GithubRelease(json_variant &v)
+{
+    auto o = v.as_object();
+    this->name = o->at("name").as_string();
+    this->draft = o->at("draft").as_bool();
+    this->prerelease = o->at("prerelease").as_bool();
+    this->body = o->at("body").as_string();
+
+    auto assets = o->at("assets").as_array();
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < assets->size(); ++i)
+    {
+        auto &el = assets->at(i);
+        this->assets.push_back(GithubAsset(el));
+    }
+    this->published_at = o->at("published_at").as_string();
+}
+
+static std::vector<std::string> split(const std::string &s, char delimiter)
+{
+    std::vector<std::string> tokens;
+    std::string token;
+    std::istringstream tokenStream(s);
+    while (std::getline(tokenStream, token, delimiter))
+    {
+        tokens.push_back(token);
+    }
+    return tokens;
+}
+static std::string justTheVersion(const std::string &assetName)
+{
+    // eg. pipedal_1.2.41_arm64.deb
+    auto t = split(assetName, '_');
+    if (t.size() != 3)
+    {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Unable to parse version.");
+    }
+    return t[1];
+}
+
+int compareVersions(const std::string &l, const std::string &r)
+{
+    std::stringstream sl(l);
+    std::stringstream sr(r);
+
+    int majorL = -1, majorR = 1, minorL = -1,
+        minorR = -1, buildL = -1, buildR = -1;
+    sl >> majorL;
+    sr >> majorR;
+    if (majorL != majorR)
+    {
+        return (majorL < majorR) ? -1 : 1;
+    }
+    char discard;
+    sl >> discard >> minorL;
+    sr >> discard >> minorR;
+    if (minorL != minorR)
+    {
+        return minorL < minorR ? -1 : 1;
+    }
+    sl >> discard >> buildL;
+    sr >> discard >> buildR;
+
+    if (buildL != buildR)
+    {
+        return buildL < buildR ? -1 : 1;
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+static std::string normalizeReleaseName(const std::string &releaseName)
+{
+    // e.g.   "PiPedal 1.2.34 Release" -> "PiPedal v1.2.34-Release"
+    if (releaseName.empty())
+        return "";
+
+    std::string result = releaseName;
+
+    auto nPos = result.find(' ');
+    if (nPos == std::string::npos)
+    {
+        return result;
+    }
+    ++nPos;
+    if (nPos >= result.length())
+    {
+        return result;
+    }
+    char c = releaseName[nPos];
+    if (c >= '0' && c <= '9')
+    {
+        result.insert(result.begin() + nPos, 'v');
+    }
+    nPos = result.find(' ', nPos);
+    if (nPos != std::string::npos)
+    {
+        result.at(nPos) = '-';
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+
+static bool IsCacheValid(const UpdateStatus &updateStatus)
+{
+    if (!updateStatus.IsValid() || !updateStatus.IsOnline())
+    {
+        return false;
+    }
+    auto now = std::chrono::system_clock::now();
+    auto validStart = updateStatus.LastUpdateTime();
+    auto validEnd = validStart + CACHE_DURATION;
+    return now >= validStart && now < validEnd;
+}
+
+
+
+UpdateRelease Updater::getUpdateRelease(
+    const std::vector<GithubRelease> &githubReleases,
+    const std::string &currentVersion,
+    const UpdateReleasePredicate &predicate)
+{
+    for (const auto &githubRelease : githubReleases)
+    {
+        auto *asset = githubRelease.GetDownloadForCurrentArchitecture();
+        if (!asset)
+            continue;
+
+        if (!predicate(githubRelease))
+            continue;
+        UpdateRelease updateRelease;
+        updateRelease.upgradeVersion_ = justTheVersion(asset->name);
+        updateRelease.updateAvailable_ = compareVersions(currentVersion, updateRelease.upgradeVersion_) < 0;
+        updateRelease.upgradeVersionDisplayName_ = normalizeReleaseName(githubRelease.name);
+        updateRelease.assetName_ = asset->name;
+        updateRelease.updateUrl_ = asset->browser_download_url;
+        return updateRelease;
+    }
+    return UpdateRelease();
+}
+
+void Updater::CheckForUpdate(bool useCache)
+{
+    UpdateStatus updateResult; 
+
+    {
+        std::lock_guard lock {mutex};
+        if (useCache && IsCacheValid(cachedUpdateStatus))
+        {
+            this->currentResult = cachedUpdateStatus;
+            this->currentResult.UpdatePolicy(this->updatePolicy);
+            if (listener)
+            {
+                listener(this->currentResult);
+            }
+            return;
+        }
+        updateResult = this->currentResult;
+    }
+    std::string args = SS("-s " << GITHUB_RELEASES_URL);
+
+
+    updateResult.errorMessage_ = "";
+
+    try
+    {
+        auto result = sysExecForOutput("curl", args);
+        if (result.exitCode != EXIT_SUCCESS)
+        {
+            throw std::runtime_error("Server has no internet access.");
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            std::stringstream ss(result.output);
+            json_reader reader(ss);
+            json_variant vResult(reader);
+
+            if (vResult.is_object())
+            {
+                // an HTML error.
+                updateResult.isOnline_ = false;
+                auto o = vResult.as_object();
+                std::string message = o->at("message").as_string();
+                auto status_code = o->at("status_code").as_int64();
+                throw std::runtime_error(SS("Service error. ()" << status_code << ": " << message << ")"));
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                json_variant::array_ptr vArray = vResult.as_array();
+
+                std::vector<GithubRelease> releases;
+                for (size_t i = 0; i < vArray->size(); ++i)
+                {
+                    auto &el = vArray->at(0);
+                    GithubRelease release{el};
+                    if (!release.draft && release.GetDownloadForCurrentArchitecture() != nullptr)
+                    {
+                        releases.push_back(std::move(release));
+                    }
+                }
+                std::sort(
+                    releases.begin(),
+                    releases.end(),
+                    [](const GithubRelease &left, const GithubRelease &right)
+                    {
+                        return left.published_at > right.published_at; // latest date first.
+                    });
+                updateResult.releaseOnlyRelease_ = getUpdateRelease(
+                    releases,
+                    updateResult.currentVersion_,
+                    [](const GithubRelease &githubRelease)
+                    {
+                        return !githubRelease.prerelease &&
+                               githubRelease.name.find("Release") != std::string::npos;
+                    });
+
+                updateResult.releaseOrBetaRelease_ = getUpdateRelease(
+                    releases,
+                    updateResult.currentVersion_,
+                    [](const GithubRelease &githubRelease)
+                    {
+                        return !githubRelease.prerelease &&
+                               (githubRelease.name.find("Release") != std::string::npos ||
+                                githubRelease.name.find("Beta") != std::string::npos);
+                    });
+                updateResult.devRelease_ = getUpdateRelease(
+                    releases,
+                    updateResult.currentVersion_,
+                    [](const GithubRelease &githubRelease)
+                    {
+                        return true;
+                    });
+#ifdef TEST_UPDATE
+                updateResult.releaseOrBetaRelease_.upgradeVersionDisplayName_ = "PiPedal v1.2.41-Beta";
+                updateResult.devRelease_.upgradeVersionDisplayName_ = "PiPedal v1.2.39-Experimental";
+                updateResult.devRelease_.upgradeVersion_ = "1.2.39";
+                updateResult.devRelease_.updateAvailable_ = false;
+#endif
+                updateResult.isValid_ = true;
+                updateResult.isOnline_ = true;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    catch (const std::exception &e)
+    {
+        Lv2Log::error(SS("Failed to fetch update info. " << e.what()));
+        updateResult.errorMessage_ = e.what();
+        updateResult.isValid_ = false;
+        updateResult.isOnline_ = false;
+    }
+    {
+        std::lock_guard lock{mutex};
+        updateResult.UpdatePolicy(this->updatePolicy);
+        this->currentResult = updateResult;
+        SetCachedUpdateStatus(this->currentResult);
+        if (listener)
+        {
+            listener(this->currentResult);
+        }
+    }
+}
+bool UpdateRelease::operator==(const UpdateRelease &other) const
+{
+    return (updateAvailable_ == other.updateAvailable_) &&
+           (upgradeVersion_ == other.upgradeVersion_) &&
+           (upgradeVersionDisplayName_ == other.upgradeVersionDisplayName_) &&
+           (assetName_ == other.assetName_) &&
+           (updateUrl_ == other.updateUrl_);
+}
+
+bool UpdateStatus::operator==(const UpdateStatus &other) const
+{
+    return (lastUpdateTime_ == other.lastUpdateTime_) &&
+           (isValid_ == other.isValid_) &&
+           (errorMessage_ == other.errorMessage_) &&
+           (isOnline_ == other.isOnline_) &&
+           (currentVersion_ == other.currentVersion_) &&
+           (currentVersionDisplayName_ == other.currentVersionDisplayName_) &&
+           (updatePolicy_ == other.updatePolicy_) &&
+           (releaseOnlyRelease_ == other.releaseOnlyRelease_) &&
+           (releaseOrBetaRelease_ == other.releaseOrBetaRelease_) &&
+           (devRelease_ == other.devRelease_);
+}
+
+UpdatePolicyT Updater::GetUpdatePolicy()
+{
+    std::lock_guard lock{mutex};
+    return updatePolicy;
+}
+void Updater::SetUpdatePolicy(UpdatePolicyT updatePolicy)
+{
+    std::lock_guard lock{mutex};
+    if (updatePolicy == this->updatePolicy)
+        return;
+    this->updatePolicy = updatePolicy;
+    if (this->currentResult.UpdatePolicy() != updatePolicy)
+    {
+        this->currentResult.UpdatePolicy(updatePolicy);
+        SetCachedUpdateStatus(this->currentResult);
+        if (listener)
+        {
+            listener(currentResult);
+        }
+    }
+}
+void Updater::ForceUpdateCheck()
+{
+    uint64_t value = UNCACHED_CHECK_NOW_EVENT;
+    write(this->event_writer, &value, sizeof(uint64_t));
+}
+
+UpdateStatus::UpdateStatus()
+{
+    currentVersion_ = PROJECT_VER;
+    currentVersionDisplayName_ = PROJECT_DISPLAY_VERSION;
+
+#ifdef TEST_UPDATE
+    // uncomment this line to test upgrading.
+    currentVersion_ = "1.2.39";
+    currentVersionDisplayName_ = "PiPedal 1.2.39-Debug";
+#endif
+}
+
+std::chrono::system_clock::time_point UpdateStatus::LastUpdateTime() const
+{
+    std::chrono::system_clock::duration duration{this->lastUpdateTime_};
+    std::chrono::system_clock::time_point tp{duration};
+    return tp;
+}
+
+void UpdateStatus::LastUpdateTime(const std::chrono::system_clock::time_point &timePoint)
+{
+    this->lastUpdateTime_ = timePoint.time_since_epoch().count();
+}
+
+const GithubAsset *GithubRelease::GetDownloadForCurrentArchitecture() const
+{
+    // deb package names end in {DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE}.deb
+    // pipedal build gets this value from `dpkg --print-architecture`
+#ifndef DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE // deb package names end in {DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE}.deb
+#error DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE not defined
+#endif
+    std::string downloadEnding = SS("_" << (DEBIAN_ARCHITECTURE) << ".deb");
+
+    for (auto &asset : assets)
+    {
+        if (asset.name.ends_with(downloadEnding))
+        {
+            return &asset;
+        }
+    }
+    return nullptr;
+}
+
+UpdateRelease::UpdateRelease()
+{
+}
+
+JSON_MAP_BEGIN(UpdateRelease)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateRelease, updateAvailable)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateRelease, upgradeVersion)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateRelease, upgradeVersionDisplayName)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateRelease, assetName)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateRelease, updateUrl)
+JSON_MAP_END();
+
+JSON_MAP_BEGIN(UpdateStatus)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, lastUpdateTime)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, isValid)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, errorMessage)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, isOnline)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, currentVersion)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, currentVersionDisplayName)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, updatePolicy)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, releaseOnlyRelease)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, releaseOrBetaRelease)
+JSON_MAP_REFERENCE(UpdateStatus, devRelease)
+JSON_MAP_END();

src/Updater.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2024 Robin Davies
+//
+// Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+// this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+// the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to
+// use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of
+// the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+// subject to the following conditions:
+//
+// The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+// copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+//
+// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+// IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+// FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+// COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER
+// IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN
+// CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <string>
+#include <functional>
+#include <memory>
+#include <thread>
+#include <mutex>
+#include "json.hpp"
+#include <chrono>
+
+class GithubRelease;
+
+namespace pipedal
+{
+
+    class Updater;
+
+    enum class UpdatePolicyT
+    {
+        // ordinal values must not change, as files depend on them.
+        // must match declaration in Updater.tsx
+
+        ReleaseOnly = 0,
+        ReleaseOrBeta = 1,
+        Development = 2,
+    };
+    class UpdateRelease
+    {
+    private:
+        friend class Updater;
+        bool updateAvailable_ = false;
+        std::string upgradeVersion_;            // just the version.
+        std::string upgradeVersionDisplayName_; // display name for the version.
+        std::string assetName_;                 // filename only
+        std::string updateUrl_;                 // url from which to download the .deb file.
+    public:
+        UpdateRelease();
+
+        bool UpdateAvailable() const { return updateAvailable_; }
+        const std::string &UpgradeVersion() const { return upgradeVersion_; }
+        const std::string &UpgradeVersionDisplayName() const { return upgradeVersionDisplayName_; }
+        const std::string &AssetName() const { return assetName_; }
+        const std::string &UpdateUrl() const { return updateUrl_; }
+        bool operator==(const UpdateRelease &other) const;
+        DECLARE_JSON_MAP(UpdateRelease);
+    };
+
+    class UpdateStatus
+    {
+    private:
+        friend class Updater;
+        std::chrono::system_clock::time_point::rep lastUpdateTime_ = 0;
+
+        bool isValid_ = false;
+        std::string errorMessage_;
+        bool isOnline_ = false;
+        std::string currentVersion_;
+        std::string currentVersionDisplayName_;
+
+        int32_t updatePolicy_ = (int32_t)(UpdatePolicyT::ReleaseOrBeta);
+        UpdateRelease releaseOnlyRelease_;
+        UpdateRelease releaseOrBetaRelease_;
+        UpdateRelease devRelease_;
+
+    public:
+        UpdateStatus();
+        std::chrono::system_clock::time_point LastUpdateTime() const;
+        void LastUpdateTime(const std::chrono::system_clock::time_point &timePoint);
+
+        bool IsValid() const { return isValid_; }
+        const std::string &ErrorMessage() const { return errorMessage_; }
+        bool IsOnline() const { return isOnline_; }
+        const std::string &CurrentVersion() const { return currentVersion_; }
+        const std::string &CurrentDisplayVersion() const { return currentVersionDisplayName_; }
+        UpdatePolicyT UpdatePolicy() const { return (UpdatePolicyT)updatePolicy_; }
+        void UpdatePolicy(UpdatePolicyT updatePreference) { this->updatePolicy_ = (int32_t)updatePreference; }
+
+        const UpdateRelease &ReleaseOnlyRelease() const { return releaseOnlyRelease_; }
+        const UpdateRelease &ReleaseOrBetaRelease() const { return releaseOrBetaRelease_; }
+        const UpdateRelease &DevRelease() const { return devRelease_; }
+        bool operator==(const UpdateStatus &other) const;
+
+        DECLARE_JSON_MAP(UpdateStatus);
+    };
+
+    class Updater
+    {
+    public:
+        Updater();
+        ~Updater();
+        using UpdateListener = std::function<void(const UpdateStatus &upateResult)>;
+
+        void SetUpdateListener(UpdateListener &&listener);
+        void CheckNow();
+        void Stop();
+
+        UpdatePolicyT GetUpdatePolicy();
+        void SetUpdatePolicy(UpdatePolicyT updatePolicy);
+        void ForceUpdateCheck();
+    private:
+        UpdatePolicyT updatePolicy = UpdatePolicyT::ReleaseOrBeta;
+        using UpdateReleasePredicate = std::function<bool(const GithubRelease &githubRelease)>;
+
+        UpdateRelease getUpdateRelease(
+            const std::vector<GithubRelease> &githubReleases,
+            const std::string &currentVersion,
+            const UpdateReleasePredicate &predicate);
+
+        UpdateStatus cachedUpdateStatus;
+        bool stopped = false;
+        using clock = std::chrono::steady_clock;
+
+        int event_reader = -1;
+        int event_writer = -1;
+        void ThreadProc();
+        void CheckForUpdate(bool useCache);
+        UpdateListener listener;
+
+        std::unique_ptr<std::thread> thread;
+        std::mutex mutex;
+
+        bool hasInfo = false;
+        UpdateStatus currentResult;
+        static clock::duration updateRate;
+    };
+}

src/UpdaterTest.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2022 Robin Davies
+//
+// Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of
+// this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in
+// the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to
+// use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of
+// the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so,
+// subject to the following conditions:
+//
+// The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
+// copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+//
+// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
+// IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
+// FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
+// COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER
+// IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN
+// CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+
+#include "pch.h"
+#include "catch.hpp"
+#include "Updater.hpp"
+#include "json.hpp"
+
+using namespace std;
+
+using namespace pipedal;
+
+TEST_CASE( "updater test", "[updater]" ) {
+    int nCalls = 0;
+    cout << "------ upater test ----" << endl;
+    {    Updater updater;
+
+
+        updater.SetUpdateListener(
+            [&nCalls](const UpdateStatus&updateStatus) mutable
+            {
+
+                cout << "updateStatus:" << endl;
+                json_writer writer(cout,false);
+                writer.write(updateStatus);
+                cout << endl;
+                ++nCalls;
+            }
+        );
+    }
+    REQUIRE(nCalls == 1);
+
+    
+
+
+}

src/jsonTest.cpp

@@ -158,11 +158,40 @@ TEST_CASE("json smart ptrs", "[json_smart_ptrs][Build][Dev]")
     }
 }
 
+template <typename U>
+U & VariantAs(json_variant& v)
+{
+    throw std::runtime_error("Missing specialization.");
+}
+
+    template <>
+    inline json_null &VariantAs<json_null>(json_variant& v) { return v.as_null(); }
+
+    template <>
+    inline bool &VariantAs<bool>(json_variant& v) { return v.as_bool(); }
+
+    template <>
+    inline double &VariantAs<double>(json_variant& v) { return v.as_number(); }
+
+    template <>
+    inline std::string &VariantAs<std::string>(json_variant& v) { return v.as_string(); }
+
+    template <>
+    inline std::shared_ptr<json_object> &VariantAs<std::shared_ptr<json_object>>(json_variant& v) { return v.as_object(); }
+
+    template <>
+    inline std::shared_ptr<json_array> &VariantAs<std::shared_ptr<json_array>>(json_variant& v) { return v.as_array(); }
+
+    template <>
+    inline json_variant &VariantAs<json_variant>(json_variant& v) { return v; }
+
+
+
 template <typename T>
 void TestVariantRoundTrip(const T &value)
 {
     json_variant variant(value);
-    T out = variant.as<T>();
+    T &out = VariantAs<T>(variant);
     REQUIRE(out == value);
 
     std::string output;

test/UriTest.cpp

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 #include <Uri.hpp>
 #include <string>
 
-using namespace piddle;
+using namespace pipedal;
 
 TEST_CASE( "uri test", "[uri]" ) {