Application Packaging Developer's Guide

Packaging Commands, Files, and Scripts

The purpose of this section is to describe the commands, files, and scripts 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.

Table 1-1 shows the commands available to help you build, verify, install, and obtain information about a package.

Table 1-1 Packaging Commands


Function	Command	Description	For More Information, Go To ...
Create packages	pkgproto(1)	Generate a `prototype` file for input to the `pkgmk` command	"Creating a `prototype` File With the `pkgproto` Command"
Create packages	pkgmk(1)	Create an installable package	"Building a Package"
Install, remove, and transfer packages	pkgadd(1M)	Install a software package onto a system	"Installing Software Packages"
	pkgask(1M)	Store answers to a request script	"Design Rules for `request` Scripts"
	pkgtrans(1)	Copy packages onto a distribution medium	"Transferring a Package to a Distribution Medium"
	pkgrm(1M)	Remove a package from a system	"Removing a Package"
Obtain information about packages	pkgchk(1M)	Check consistency of a software package	"Verifying the Integrity of a Package"
	pkginfo(1)	Display software package information	"The `pkginfo` Command"
	pkgparam(1)	Display package parameter values	"The `pkgparam` Command"
Modify installed packages	installf(1M)	Incorporate a new package object into an already installed package	"Design Rules for Procedure Scripts" and Chapter 5, Package Creation Case Studies
Modify installed packages	removef(1M)	Remove a package object from an already installed package	"Design Rules for Procedure Scripts"

Table 1-2 shows the information files available to help you build a package.

Table 1-2 Package Information Files


Files	Description	For More Information, Go To ...
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"

Table 1-3 describes optional installation scripts that you can write that affect if and how a package is installed.

Table 1-3 Package Installation Scripts


Scripts	Description	For More Information, Go To ...
`request`	Solicit information from the installer.	"Writing a `request` Script"
`checkinstall`	Gather file system data.	"Gathering Data With the `checkinstall` Script"
`preinstall`	Perform any custom installation requirements before class installation.	"Writing Procedure Scripts"
`postinstall`	Perform any custom installation requirements after all volumes are installed.	"Writing Procedure Scripts"
`preremove`	Perform any custom removal requirements before class removal.	"Writing Procedure Scripts"
`postremove`	Perform any custom removal requirements after all classes have been removed.	"Writing Procedure Scripts"
Class Action	Perform a series of actions on a specific group of objects.	"Writing Class Action Scripts"