Stop installing/updating apps in parallel

[Joaquim Rocha <jrocha endlessm com>]

GNOME Software can install apps in parallel as each plugin op runs in its own thread, and while this is a safe operation to do in Flatpak (and similar systems), it does result in a performance hit, especially in slower machines.

So I would like to propose that we queue installation and update operations to have them one at a time. This is what Google Play does as well (and possibly other app stores).

This is especially important for Endless' users who normally don't have super fast computers.

Besides rearchitecturing how installs/updates go, it may require a bit of design work too, at least to establish how to inform the user that an app is pending installation/update. I think we can do with a string + pulsating progress bar but of course I will discuss with Allan should we decide to go ahead.

I am sending this to the list to get others' opinions as this changes part of the basic behavior we have right now. And it should not be so trivial to implement either, so if we can avoid keeping both behaviors (i.e. dropping the parallel installation altogether) it'd be better.

Let's hear from the interested parties.

Cheers,

Joaquim Rocha  |  Endless