Packaging Applications

The Solaris 2.6 operating environment is bundled in units called packages. These packages contain all the files and information you need to add or remove software from your system.

A package consists of the following components:

• pkginfo file - This is an ASCII file that sets characteristics of the package. It consists of a list of macro=value pairs that describe the package and set control parameters for its installation. See the pkginfo(4) man page for more information.

• prototype file - This is an ASCII file that defines the contents of the package. It contains one entry for each deliverable object (for example, files, directories, and links). It also contains installation entries for package information files-such as pkginfo, depend, and copyright-and scripts. See the prototype(4) man page for more information.

• copyright file -This is an ASCII file that provides a copyright notice for the package. Its contents (including comment lines) are displayed during package installation. See the copyright(4) man page for more information.

• Package contents - The contents of the package.

• Scripts - Scripts can be used to control installation or removal of a package, to request input from the user, or to perform an action on all objects of a particular class. Scripts must be executable by the Bourne shell.

Add-on application software should be packaged so it can be installed on a Solaris 2.6 system from diskette, tape, or CD-ROM. Application Packaging Developer's Guide provides guidelines for building your packages.

Packaging Utilities

Several utilities are provided to create and manipulate packages. Table 16-5 lists commands that are useful for creating packages.

Table 16-5 Commands for Creating Packages

pkgproto	Generates prototype file entries for input to the pkgmk command
pkgmk	Produces an installable package
pkgtrans	Translates package format

Table 16-6 lists commands that are useful for adding and removing packages.

Table 16-6 Commands for Adding and Removing Packages

pkgadd	Adds software package to the system
pkgask	Stores answers to a request script
pkgrm	Removes a package from the system
pkgchk	Checks accuracy of installation

Table 16-7 lists commands that provide information about packages.

Table 16-7 Commands for Providing Information About Packages

pkginfo	Displays software package information about installed packages
pkgparam	Displays package parameter values