Introduction to PackManUtil

PackManUtil is a command line application implemented through shell (BASH) scripts originally created for use with an x86_64 multilib Cross Linux from Scratch (CLFS) base system to simplify the build process for additional packages. PackManUtil is written, tested, and used daily on x86_64 multilib, i586, and 32-bit PowerPC CLFS systems.

If you use PackManUtil, we'd appreciate a quick e-mail letting us know what you think. Even if you think PackManUtil stinks and is a waste of our time working on.

We've also been picked up by Softpedia if you'd like to write a review. http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Software-Distribution/PackManUtil-41680.shtml

News

2009-07-03

Added the ability to strip installed binaries and libraries with the --stripit switch. Added new function to update build script directory using subversion with the --update switch.

2009-03-11

Added md5sum checking capability for source tarballs.

2008-12-03

Happy birthday to my wife. Oh yeah, I also created a Google Group for PackManUtil. Join us at http://groups.google.com/group/packmanutil?lnk=gcimh. The mailing list is at packmanutil@googlegroups.com.

2008-11-08

Released version 1.0.0. This is considered the first stable release. Please report any and all problems.

2008-10-13

Please do not install NSPR using PackManUtil. For some, as yet unknown, reason installing NSPR with PackManUtil may break your system's toolchain. After installing NSPR the system reports a missing /lib64/libc.so.6 although the library is still there. The NSPR build script has been removed from the SVN repository, but is part of the 0.9 release. It will be removed from future releases if the problem cannot be fixed.

Dependencies

Required Dependencies

• wget or Aria2
• which

Recommended Dependencies

• paco
• InstallWatch
• rpm2targz

Installation

Installation of PackManUtil is simple. Most users will just execute the install.sh script found in the source directory. For more details, visit our Installation Instructions.

Configuration

After installing PackManUtil, configuration is accomplished by editing the build.cfg file. There is a system-wide build.cfg file and each user can create their own in the ~/.packmanutil directory. For more configuration details, visit our Configuration Instructions.

Logging

Several logs are created by PackManUtil during the build process. One of these logs is /var/log/packmanutil/times.log. This log keeps track of the time required to configure, make, make install, and total time for each package you install using PackManUtil. If you set the SBU variable in build.cfg, then the SBU of each package will also be logged.

A database of build times is maintained by the PackManUtil developer. We would appreciate you providing a copy of your times.log by e-mail so we can add your times to the database. Once we have a sufficiently large data set, we will publish the information for everyone's use. Of course, it is up to you.

See the Logging Wiki page for information we would request in addition to the file.

Change Log

Latest release is 1.1.0.

July 3, 2009 - Release 1.1.0

• Additional build scripts added.
• Added ability to strip installed binaries and libraries.
• Added function to update build script directory using subversion.

March 11, 2009 - Release 1.0.2

• Additional build scripts added.
• Support for md5sum checking of downloaded source tarballs added.

January 25, 2009 - Release 1.0.1

• Additional build scripts added.

November 08, 2008 - Release 1.0.0

• Additional build scripts added.
• Removed build scripts that don't build correctly (see issues).
• Added MD5SUMS file to release installs in doc directory.

October 15, 2008 - Release 0.9.1

• Additional build scripts added.
• Removed NSPR build script (see News, above).

September 19, 2008 - Release 0.9

• Added support for libnotify.
• Additional build scripts added.
• Tested on CLFS-1.1.0 multilib x86_64 system.

August 24, 2008 - Release 0.8

• Minor fixes; no new functionality added.
• Additional build scripts added.

August 12, 2008 - Release 0.7.2

• Fixed install script so it backs up build.cfg before installing the new build.cfg. ( Bug #5 )

August 12, 2008 - Release 0.7.1

• Fixed install script so it installs in a versioned directory and creates a non-versioned symlink.
• Added PowerPC build options to build.cfg.

August 11, 2008 - Release 0.7

• Fixed problem with blank file opening in editor when a new build script was created. ( Bug #1 )
• Fixed problem with build times being logged to times.log when build failed. ( Bug #2 )

July 13, 2008 - Release 0.6

• Initial public release.