Importance

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Abstract

A system and method for patching an installed application program and making an installer program aware that an application has been patched is disclosed. The system and method recognizes that a patch has been launched to update the application, the patch including an identifier for the application and information related to a desired change to the application. In response, the installer program accesses a first information store containing information related to a series of functions for installing the application. The installer program also accesses a second information store containing information related to the installed state of the application. Then, the installer program modifies the first information store in accordance with the desired change to the application such that the modified first information store includes additional functions for applying the patch to the application. The installer program then initiates a reinstallation of the application based on the modified first information store such that the desired change is reflected in the application after the reinstallation, i.e., the application is patched. Finally, the installer program stores a new installed state of the application in the second information store, the new installed state including an indication that the patch exists for the application and information related to the desired change to the application.

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First Claim