How to have a Java application get the latest version of itself?

Question

I would like to make an update finder, so to speak. The client application would send a request to the server, get the latest version, and return it to the user in the form of a prompt:

There is a new update, X.x. Would you like to update?

Something of that nature. How would I go about doing this?

Also, if possible, please don't suggest API's unless it is either really necessary or it would be really hard for a beginner to understand. I would like to keep my project working with core Java packages.

Answer 1

Have you looked at Java Web Start?

Updates to a Java Web Start application are automatically downloaded when the application is run standalone from the user's desktop.

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/deployment/webstart/

Answer 2

One way to do this easily in Java is to use Java Web Start.