RPMs and Debs creation

[Brian Kelsay]

Checkinstall sounds like it watches the make install in a way similar to Wise Package Studio.  Wise does additional steps to find all the parts of a package.  First Wise takes a snapshot of the files and reg keys on a system, then you watch the install of a program to capture the order/location of install parts, then you take a second snapshot and basically get a diff to be sure you catch any changes.  A .wsi is created which you then edit with Wise and when you are satisfied you compile it into a .msi and test it.  A program install on Windows can be scripted and sometimes is, but it is far more complicated and time consuming to do so.  Sometimes you have no choice but to script parts or all of an install.  With Linux it looks to be easier to script an install, including text config files, rules for install and file permissions.  

Checkinstall might be a good way to track down parts of a package and learn the process of manual package building.

Brian:  I didn't see the link to Pkgwrite, but thanks for the info and the tip on "depends".

All this stemmed from the desire to create a .deb for Kiso and a few other programs that are only avail as source or .rpm, or the occasional  mdk rpm.

[OT] Glue removal:  Look to the Goo-gone line of products.  They soften up adhesives for removal.  Use LOTS of ventilation and fans.

Brian Kelsay

>>> Uncle Jim <jim at jimani.com> 12/08/04 02:45PM >>>
Hi,

On Wed, Dec 08, 2004 at 02:24:35PM -0600, Brian Kelsay wrote:

> Has anyone created .rpm or .deb files for RedHat, SuSe or Debian systems?  Do you do everything from the command line or have you found any graphical tools to help with the process?

Take a look at checkinstall

  http://checkinstall.izto.org 

It will do the hard part for an rpm .spec file, haven't tried it with .deb files.  From the
introduction:

<snip>
    
    When "make install" is done, checkinstall will create a Slackware, RPM or
    Debian package and install it with Slackware's installpkg, "rpm -i" or "dpkg -i"
    as appropriate, so you can view it's contents in /var/log/packages or remove it
    with removepkg (for Slackware), "rpm -ql" and "rpm -e" (RPM) or "dpkg -I" and
    "dpkg -r" (Debian).