PKGENPACK

pkgenpack − PackageKit Pack Generator

pkgenpack [−−help] [−−verbose] [−−with−package−list] [−−output] [−−package] [−−updates]

This manual page documents briefly the pkgenpack command.

pkgenpack is the command line client for PackageKit for creating service packs.

A service pack is a tarball which contains a set of packages and their dependencies. The user can reduce the dependencies to be packed using the −−with−package−list option. Along with the dependencies, a service pack has a file named metadata.conf which contains the information about the distribution and creation date of the pack.

A service pack is created using the command pkgenpack.

This program follows the usual GNU command line syntax, with long options starting with two dashes (‘−´). A summary of options is included below.

−−help

Show summary of options.

−−verbose

Show extra debugging information.

−−with−package−list

Set the filename of dependencies to be excluded.

Generally, the file list of packages is generated when doing a PackageKit refresh on the target system. If not specified, pkgenpack uses /var/lib/PackageKit/system.package−list by default.

−−output

The directory to put the pack file, or the current directory if omitted.

−−package

The package to be put into the ServicePack.

−−update

Put all updates available in the ServicePack.

The only valid extension for a service pack is ".servicepack".

1. Tim is facing problems with his Internet connection at home. He needs a service pack with valgrind and it´s dependencies for his system. He asks James to generate a pack for him. Both know James´s system should contain similar packages as Tim´s system, as both of them have installed Fedora 9 two days ago.

James simply runs:

[james@jamesbook:~]$ pkgenpack −−output=/media/USB/TimPacks −−package=valgrind

This generates a file /media/USB/TimPacks/valgrind−fedora−9−i686.servicepack on the USB key Tim gave to James. Tim can now go home, insert the USB key and double clicks on the valgrind−fedora−9−i686.servicepack file to be prompted to install these packages.

2. Bill wants to create a service pack named kdegames−fedora−9−i686.servicepack for his new system which does not have an internet connection. He generates a list of packages on his system using pkcon list−create and copies that list to his USB key. He then gives that USB to Rishi who has a good internet connectivity. Rishi runs the following command on his system:

[rishi@devils−temple:~]$ pkgenpack −−with−package−list=/media/USB/bill.package−list \
                                   −−output=/home/rishi/Desktop −−program=kdegames

This generates a service pack, kdegames−fedora−9−i686.servicepack, on Rishi´s Desktop, which can be distributed to Bill and users with similar requirements.

Service Packs can be installed using pkcon. For example:

[hacker@tim−lounge:~]$ pkcon install /media/USB/TimPacks/valgrind−fedora−9−i686.servicepack

pkmon (1). pkcon(1).

This manual page was written by Shishir Goel crazyontheedge@gmail.com and Richard Hughes richard@hughsie.com.

Copyright © 2008 Shishir Goel