Syncing files

Ok, I'm building an app that I plan to distribute to several people. One section of it is a list of words. People can add new words, and all of those words are collected somewhere, I don't know where, and each time they run the program, it updates the list on their computer with words others have added. How exactly should I do that? What would be the most efficient method?

It sounds like you just need 1 data repository, then whenever each person runs the program it pulls the data from that repository. It would be up to you what type of repository (text file, XML, database), but that's what it looks like to me.

How about a web service?

Hmmmm. ok. I was originally thinking keeping the program as a jar and then have a text file stored on their main drive that holds all of the new words, but I think maybe using an actual program installed into the program files. How exactly would I do that? and how would I make the installer? I know several other languages if that helps.

I am thinking of using a database. What does that involve doing? Sorry, never really made a program dealing with the internet before.

Kevin Carr wrote:I am thinking of using a database. What does that involve doing?

Start here ni the Java™ Tutorials.

Sorry, never really made a program dealing with the internet before.

Do it in little bits. Start with the database, then connect to Java.