Using Parametric Base Directories

If a package requires multiple base directories, you can establish them with parametric path names. This method has become quite popular, although it has the following drawbacks.

• A package with parametric path names usually behaves like an absolute package but is treated by the pkgadd command like a relocatable package. The BASEDIR parameter must be defined even if it is not used.

• The administrator cannot ascertain the installation base for the package using the System V utilities (the pkginfo -r command will not work).

• The administrator cannot use the established method to relocate the package (it is called relocatable but it acts absolute).

• Multiple architecture or multiple version installations require contingency planning for each of the target base directories which often means multiple complex class action scripts.

While the parameters that determine the base directories are defined in the pkginfo file, they may be modified by the request script. That is one of the primary reasons for the popularity of this approach. The drawbacks, however are chronic and you should consider this configuration a last resort.

Examples—Using Parametric Base Directories

The pkginfo File

# pkginfo file
PKG=SUNWstuf
NAME=software stuff 
ARCH=sparc
VERSION=1.0.0,REV=1.0.5
CATEGORY=application
DESC=a set of utilities that do stuff
BASEDIR=/
EZDIR=/usr/stuf/EZstuf
HRDDIR=/opt/SUNWstuf/HRDstuf
VENDOR=Sun Microsystems, Inc.
HOTLINE=Please contact your local service provider
EMAIL=
MAXINST=1000
CLASSES=none
PSTAMP=hubert980707141632

The pkgmap File

: 1 1758
1 d none $EZDIR 0775 root bin
1 f none $EZDIR/dirdel 0555 bin bin 40 773 751310229
1 f none $EZDIR/usrdel 0555 bin bin 40 773 751310229
1 f none $EZDIR/filedel 0555 bin bin 40 773 751310229
1 d none $HRDDIR 0775 root bin
1 f none $HRDDIR/mksmart 0555 bin bin 40 773 751310229
1 f none $HRDDIR/mktall 0555 bin bin 40 773 751310229
1 f none $HRDDIR/mkcute 0555 bin bin 40 773 751310229
1 f none $HRDDIR/mkeasy 0555 bin bin 40 773 751310229
1 d none /etc	? ? ?
1 d none /etc/rc2.d ? ? ?
1 f none /etc/rc2.d/S70dostuf 0744 root sys 450 223443
1 i pkginfo 348 28411 760740163
1 i postinstall 323 26475 751309908
1 i postremove 402 33179 751309945
1 i preinstall 321 26254 751310019
1 i preremove 320 26114 751309865