Glossary

application binary interface

Definition of the binary system interface between compiled applications and the operating system on which they run.

ABI

See application binary interface (ABI).

base directory

The location where relocatable objects will be installed. It is defined in the pkginfo file, using the BASEDIR parameter.

build time

The time during which a package is being built with the pkgmk command.

build variable

A variable that begins with a lowercase letter and is evaluated at build time.

class

A name that is used to group package objects. See also class action script.

class action script

A file that defines a set of actions to be performed on a group of package objects.

collectively relocatable object

A package object that is located relative to a common installation base. See also base directory.

composite package

A package that contains both relocatable and absolute path names.

compver file

A method of specifying package backward-compatibility.

control file

File that controls how, where, and if a package is to be installed. See information file and installation script.

copyright

The right to own and sell intellectual property, such as software, source code, or documentation. Ownership must be stated on the CD-ROM and insert text, whether the copyright is owned by SunSoft, or by another party. Copyright ownership is also acknowledged in SunSoft documentation.

depend file

A method of resolving basic package dependencies. See also compver file.

incompatible package

A package that is incompatible with the named package. See also depend file.

individually relocatable object

A package object that is not restricted to the same directory location as a collectively relocatable object. It is defined using an install variable in the path field in the prototype file, and the installation location is determined via a request script or a checkinstall script.

information file

A file that can define package dependencies, provide a copyright message, or reserve space on a target system.

installation script

A script that enables you to provide customized installation procedures for a package.

install time

The time during which a package is being installed with the pkgadd command.

install variable

A variable that begins with an uppercase letter and is evaluated at install time.

package

A collection of files and directories required for a software application.

package abbreviation

A short name for a package that is defined via the PKG parameter in the pkginfo file.

package identifier

A numerical suffix added to a package abbreviation by the pkgadd command.

package instance

A variation of a package, which is determined by combining the definitions of the PKG, ARCH, and VERSION parameters in the pkginfo file for the package.

package object

Another name for an application file that is contained in a package to be installed on a target system.

parametric path name

A path name that includes a variable specification.

patch list

A list of patches that affect the current package. This list of patches is recorded in the installed package in the pkginfo file.

prerequisite package

A package that depends on the existence of another package. See also depend file.

procedure script

A script that defines actions that occur at a particular point during package installation and package removal.

relocatable

A package object defined in a prototype file with a relative path name.

relocatable object

A package object that does not need an absolute path location on a target system. Instead, its location is determined during the installation process. See also collectively relocatable object and individually relocatable object.

reverse dependency

A condition when another package depends on the existence of your package. See also depend file.

segmented

A package that does not fit on a single volume, such as a floppy disk.

tar

Tape archive retrieval. Solaris command for adding or extracting files from a media.