A parametric path name is a path name that includes a variable specification. For example, /opt/$PKGINST/filename is a parametric path name because of the $PKGINST variable specification. A default value for the variable specification must be defined in the pkginfo file. The value may then be changed by a request or checkinstall script.
A variable specification in a path must begin or end the path name, or be bounded by slashes (/). For example, valid parametric path names look like:
$PARAM/tests tests/$PARAM/generic /tests/$PARAM |
The variable specification, once defined, may cause the path to be evaluated as absolute or relocatable. For example, given this entry in a prototype file:
f none $DIRLOC/tests/generic |
and this entry in the pkginfo file:
DIRLOC=/myopt |
the path name, $DIRLOC/tests/generic, will evaluate
to the absolute path name /myopt/tests/generic, regardless of whether the BASEDIR
parameter is set in the pkginfo file.
However, if the pkginfo file contains these entries
DIRLOC=firstcut BASEDIR=/opt |
then the path name, $DIRLOC/tests/generic, will evaluate to the relocatable path name /opt/firstcut/tests/generic.
For more information on parametric path names, see Using Parametric Base Directories.