SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent such a case where the processing is impossible due to the discordance of versions that is caused during the distribution of software. SOLUTION: A distribution management file 13 of a distributor device 10 manages a name list and the distribution destination state of software to be distributed for every distribution destination. The device 10 previously sends the distribution object software name list of the file 13 to every distribution destination device 20 and then starts the distribution of software. The device 20 sets the distributed object software name list in a distribution state file 24. Then the device 20 stores the distributed software in a software store file 22 and decides the end of distribution for the corresponding name contained in the file 24. When a software access is detected, a control part 25 refers to the file 24 to request the device 10 to perform the preferential distribution of software as necessary.