Editing ROX Desktop (section)

== Zero Install ==
{{Infobox software
| name = Zero Install
| logo = 
| screenshot = Zero Install.png
| screenshot size = 275px
| caption = Zero Install ready to run a downloaded program
| developer = Thomas Leonard
| latest release version = 2.17<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/0install/0install/releases|title=Releases · 0install/0install|website=[[GitHub]]}}</ref>
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2020|05|04}}
| latest preview version = 
| latest preview date = 
| qid = Q191937
| programming language = [[OCaml]]
| operating_system = [[Linux]], [[Unix]], [[macOS]], [[Windows]]
| genre = [[Package manager]]
| license = [[GNU Lesser General Public License|LGPLv2.1]]
| website = {{URL|https://0install.net}}
}}'''Zero Install''' (or '''0install''') is a multi-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS) system for running applications, enabling decentralized publishing (without using a traditional [[Repository (version control)|central repositories]], directly from project websites).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khurshid |first=Usman |date=2013-09-12 |title=Run Windows Programs Without Having to Install Them |url=https://www.maketecheasier.com/run-windows-programs-without-installation/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=Make Tech Easier |language=en-US}}</ref> Unlike simple xcopy deployment{{Original research inline|date=June 2024}}, Zero Install retains the advantages of repositories, such as [[shared libraries]], automatic updates, and validation of [[digital signatures]].{{sfn|Eicher|2011|p=8}}

Zero Install uses metadata (sometimes called the ''feed format'') written in XML. Similar to xcopy deployment,{{Original research inline|date=June 2024}} each application gets its own directory, and there are no side effects on the OS. This eliminates the need for administrative rights, and different versions of the same application can be run [[Side-by-side assembly|side-by-side]] without special modifications.{{sfn|Eicher|2011|p=8}}

To run an [[Application software|application]], the user uses a launcher in ROX-Filer. This launcher instructs the system to run the application specified by a URL within the launcher's script. The first time it is launched, the system uses the URL to download the program and save it. On subsequent launches, the system does not download it again. This mechanism is referred to as 'Zero Install' because the launcher aims to run the program directly rather than performing a traditional installation process.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-11-20 |title=Zero Install and AddApp {{!}} ROX Desktop |url=http://roscidus.com/desktop/node/219 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120061429/http://roscidus.com/desktop/node/219 |archive-date=2007-11-20 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=ROX Desktop}}</ref><{{Non-primary source needed|date=June 2024}}