Automatic web-based client-server application program update system

A computer-implemented method for updating program modules executed by a client/server system, the method comprising:

• verifying that a new version of a software program is available for installation on a server computer;
• downloading updated program modules to the server computer;
• transmitting an update message to a client computer coupled to the server computer over a network;
• causing the client computer to disconnect from the server computer;
• installing the downloaded program modules on the server computer;
• allowing reconnection of the client computer to the server computer;
• and
• installing one or more updated client-side modules on the client computer to ensure version synchronization between a software program executed by the client computer and a corresponding software program executed by the server computer.

A computer-implemented method for updating program modules executed by a client/server system, the method comprising:

• verifying that a new version of a software program is available for installation on a server computer;
• downloading updated program server modules to the server computer;
• downloading updated client-side modules to a client computer coupled to the server computer over a network;
• installing the downloaded program modules on the server computer;
• suspending execution of programs on the client computer that require an update;
• transmitting a first command to the client computer to cause installation of the updated client-side modules on the client computer to ensure version synchronization between a software program executed by the client computer and a corresponding software program executed by the server computer;
• and
• transmitting a second command to the client computer to cause execution of programs that include updated client-side modules.