Application Packaging Developer's Guide

Packaging Commands, Files, and Scripts

This section describes the commands, files, and scripts that you might use when manipulating packages. They are described in man pages and in detail throughout this book, in relation to the specific task they perform.

The following table shows the commands to help you build, verify, install, and obtain information about a package.

Table 1–2 Packaging Commands


Task	Command/ man Page	Description	For More Information
Create packages	pkgproto(1)	Generates a `prototype` file for input to the `pkgmk` command	Example—Creating a `prototype` File With the `pkgproto` Command
pkgmk(1)	Creates an installable package	Building a Package
Install, remove, and transfer packages	pkgadd(1M)	Installs a software package onto a system	Installing Software Packages
pkgask(1M)	Stores answers to a `request` script	Design Rules for `request` Scripts
pkgtrans(1)	Copies packages onto a distribution medium	Transferring a Package to a Distribution Medium
pkgrm(1M)	Removes a package from a system	Removing a Package
Obtain information about packages	pkgchk(1M)	Verifies the integrity of a software package	Verifying the Integrity of a Package
pkginfo(1)	Displays software package information	The `pkginfo` Command
pkgparam(1)	Displays package parameter values	The `pkgparam` Command
Modify installed packages	installf(1M)	Incorporates a new package object into an already installed package	Design Rules for Procedure Scripts and Chapter 5, Case Studies of Package Creation
removef(1M)	Removes a package object from an already installed package	Design Rules for Procedure Scripts

The following table shows the information files that help you build a package.

Table 1–3 Package Information Files


File	Description	For More Information
admin(4)	Package installation defaults file	The Administrative Defaults File
compver(4)	Package compatibility file	Defining Package Dependencies
copyright(4)	Package copyright information file	Writing a Copyright Message
depend(4)	Package dependencies file	Defining Package Dependencies
pkginfo(4)	Package characteristics file	Creating a `pkginfo` File
pkgmap(4)	Package contents description file	The `pkgmap` File
prototype(4)	Package information file	Creating a `prototype` File
space(4)	Package disk space requirements file	Reserving Additional Space on a Target System

The following table describes optional installation scripts that you can write that affect if and how a package is installed.

Table 1–4 Package Installation Scripts


Script	Description	For More Information
`request`	Solicits information from the installer	Writing a `request` Script
`checkinstall`	Gathers file system data	Gathering File System Data With the `checkinstall` Script
`preinstall`	Performs any custom installation requirements before class installation	Writing Procedure Scripts
`postinstall`	Performs any custom installation requirements after all volumes are installed	Writing Procedure Scripts
`preremove`	Performs any custom removal requirements before class removal	Writing Procedure Scripts
`postremove`	Performs any custom removal requirements after all classes have been removed	Writing Procedure Scripts
Class action	Performs a series of actions on a specific group of objects	Writing Class Action Scripts