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--- en:docs:distribution [2013/04/20 13:01] – created valerius
+++ en:docs:distribution [2013/04/20 19:07] – valerius
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 ==== osFree distribution (draft I) ====
-  * osFree must use [[WarpIN]] as a package manager, with some [[enhancements]]
+osFree distribution must use:
-  * support for [[repositories]]?
-  * response-file-driven installation:
+  * [[WarpIN]] as a package management tool, with enhancements. WarpIN's purpose is maintaining the installed packages database, understanding the .WPI format, installing/deinstalling each package
-    - response-file can be created manually
+  * Also, a tool like eCoShop or Linux-like repository access client is needed. It can be like apt or yum in Linux, but with OS/2 specifics. This tool must be separate from WarpIN, i.e., it is specific to repositories/package sources, not packages format. So:
-    - response-file can be created by UI (VIO or PM-based)
+    * it must handle different package sources, like
-  * so, installer must be divided into two separate parts:
+      * files in the current directory
-    - UI for choosing user options interactively, it can be:
+      * special directory layouts (on the current machine, or on remote http or ftp server), like diskette images with bundles (as used by IBM OS/2 distributions so, the installer will be capable to install old IBM OS/2 distributions as well)
+      * other directory layouts, like APT or RPM repositories
+    * different file transport protocols support, like ftp, http, etc, via plugins
+    * maybe, support for handling the different packages formats, other than WPI, i.e.:
+      * plain ZIP's with metainfo and installation scripts included (like it was in UnixOS/2)
+      * RPM - for software ported from UNIX.
+      * pack/unpack-created bundles, as usual with IBM's OS/2 distributions
+    *  the package source frontend will handle different package types via special plugins (or backends), and invoke different tools when installing packages (invoke WIC, UNZIP, UNPACK or RPM)
+    * maybe, even, the possibility to create the decentralised network of package repositories is needed -- this will allow to use any nearest mirror, or use another mirror if the main mirror is down. Even we could try to create the repositories network on Peer-to-Peer basis ;)
+  * The enhancements to WarpIN should include:
+    * "Sticky" flag for packages which should not be upgraded
+    * Support for simultaneously existing versions of different packages with libraries, which are needed for different applications
+    * Maybe, "Unstable" flag for apps and libraries, so, unstable package don't replace stable ones, they only create a separate branch in dependencies tree.
+    * Coexistence of several package trees, which are updated separately, and do not influence other trees -- some analogies with source code repositories with branches
+    * Support for separating and merging the branches, rollback of packages to an older (but stable) version
+  * response-file-driven installer:
+    - response file can be created manually
+    - response file can be generated by UI (VIO or PM-based)
+  * so, installer must be divided into four separate parts:
+    - UI for choosing user options and generating the response file interactively, it can be:
       * textmode UI with pseudographics
       * graphical, PM-based
-    - installation engine, based on WarpIN with plugins.
+    - installation engine, based on invoking the package access frontend to retrieve the packages. It acts according the response file
       * it can be started by an experienced user, system administrator, or by the installation UI.
-  * also, DOS (DPMI)-based version of the installation engine and UI would be desired
+      * installation engine is independent from UI and can be started separately; and more: the user can start the UI on one machine, save the resulting RSP (response) file and apply it on another machine, by pointing the installation engine to the needed RSP
-  * a Linux- or Win32-based version (?)
+      * the single installer for initial machine setup, and subsequent option changes/additional software installation -- something like FreeBSD sysinstall
+      * also, DOS (DPMI)-based version of the installation engine and UI would be desired
+      * a Linux- or Win32-based version (?)
+    - package access frontend, handling different package sources, via backends:
+      * different package storage/repository types
+      * different access protocols are implemented as special plugins
+    - enhanced WarpIN as the main package handling tool.
+~~DISCUSSION~~