How to Design software to incorporate updates easily?

Question

I have started building a small application which I plan to release as soon as possible. What I want is for users that have purchased it to be able to receive new updates and download new versions with only the one purchase. So is there a way to design to application that will make incorporating updates easy? And how can I build the update system so that there is no chance of the software being stolen by people who haven't even purchased the app?

It will be a desktop application that can be purchased through a website.

Answer 1

Well, for Delphi and C++ Builder there are ready made 3rd aprty components that implement this automatic update feature quite well. But is someone stole your software then it's quite diificult to stop him also from updating his stolen software. As update usually doens't contain all the files of the application then having access to updates doesn't allow thieves to use your software