ParseInstalltion isn't updated when app version changes

[Shailevy]

When my users updates the app I call ParseInstallation.getCurrentInstallation().saveInBackground but the SDK won't trigger a call to the server, this causes the appVersion fields in the Installation table to be incorrect

By overviewing the code (thanks for open-sourcing) it seems to be by design (Nothing has really changed in the Installation so updateBeforeSave doesn't trigger.

Please explain this

[grantland]

You're correct, this is by design. We do this to prevent your app from DDOSing yourself when releasing app updates, since app updates and new app runs occur around the same time for all users and it would cause a spike that may lead you to run over your req/s limit.

[Shailevy]

Thanks, In that case, if I agree to the spike risk can you please explain how do I manually force this update ?

[grantland]

ParseInstallation's appVersion gets updated in updateBeforeSave: https://github.com/ParsePlatform/Parse-SDK-Android/blob/master/Parse/src/main/java/com/parse/ParseInstallation.java#L109
ParseObject's updateBefore save only gets called if the object is dirty: https://github.com/ParsePlatform/Parse-SDK-Android/blob/master/Parse/src/main/java/com/parse/ParseObject.java#L1605

So making your current ParseInstallation dirty whenever you want it updated would do the trick. Probably along with some logic that would only dirty the ParseInstallation when your app's versionName or versionCode changes.

[Shailevy]

Ok,
I hope you guys will provide a setIsDirty(boolean) function at some point.
But please document these behaviour better on the docs site.

I guess this item can be closed, thanks a lot :)

[grantland]

You don't need a setIsDirty(boolean), you can just change any field on the ParseInstallation via #put(String, Object).

Our docs are actually open sourced here and I've created an issue for it, but feel free to submit a pull request with updated documentation as well.

And no problem, glad to help! I'll be closing this issue now.