Autopackage distribution

Autopackage is a new package management system intended to be usable across multiple Linux distributions. Unlike traditional package formats such as RPM and DEB, autopackage checks for the presence of dependencies on the actual system files, rather than querying a database of package information.

This reduces compatibility issues with different package naming conventions, relaxes package version dependency and allows users to install the application without worrying about what package format is being used on their Linux distributions.

The Linux version of OpenOffice.org released by the Offical OOo homepage, as a third-party binary (when viewed from the point of view of Linux vendors) for download with frequent updates, highly matches the software delivery requirement being served and addressed by autopackage.

By providing OpenOffice.org in autopackage format, it will go a long way to simplify the Linux installation process without end users needing to consult the OpenOffice.org 2.x Setup guide (for setup procedures on various Linux distros out there).

It will also provide the foundation for incremental update mechanism similiar to the auto-updater implemented in Firefox 1.5.

OpenOffice.org in autopackage format discussion

Issue reported

• Issue 46333: Native Linux install package using autopackage
• Issue 58158: Small Patch Update system[1], is now practical to implement under Linux using autopackage

Preparation phrase

1. Find out the dependency information
2. Prepare the autopackage script
3. Repackage the official binary in autopackage format
4. Testing and feedback

Optional (to do later)

• Check the compilation environment
• Compiling a different build if necessary

Autopackage information for users and developers

To see how easy it is to install software in autopackage format, check out this how-to page:

• Install Linux autopackages in 4 easy steps

General information

• Autopackage Official page
• Autopackage FAQ

Developer documentation

• Packagers Documentation
  With quickstart, tutorials, packager guides, API documentation and many other resources
• Developer Tools
• Autopackage Wiki
• Planet Autopackge: Developers' blog

Related articles

• Autopackage 1.0, the now and the next
• Autopackage: Toward a universal package manager for the desktop
• Ubuntu Forum: 35 pages long (wow!) discussion of the autopackage format and its integration with Ubuntu Dapper Drake