mkdir /var/abs/local/app-you-want-to-build
cd /var/abs/local/app-you-want-to-build
cp /var/abs/PKGBUILD.proto /var/abs/local/app-you-want-to-build/PKGBUILD
then edit the PKGBUILD file for your app.
basically just fill in the info as needed.
pkgname=app-you-want-to-build
pkgver=version number
pkgrel=1 (because this is your first attempt)
pkgdesc="what this app does is _____"
url="the application's home page"
depends=(list any you know of for sure and after you build the app the first time, you use namcap to proof your list of dependancies.)
source=(pkgname) -note: I found the easiest way to get the url for the source, was to find it in mozilla or your browser of choice and go from thier. It might be a little tricky but you can test the url by using wget at a prompt.
md5sums can be found by using makepkg -g
then just give it a shot. you're not root, what's the worst that can happen?
]]>that pretty much gave me all the basics. i learned how to make packages throughout the course of the last week. it's so much easier than you think!
]]>similarily makepkg is very straight forward. all you really need to know are the various options you can use. if you want to rebuild your system with different optimizations all you do is change makepkg.conf then rebuild your system using makeworld (which is simple too if you take a few minutes to hash out the proper ordering of the options and arguments).
look over abs then start trying out building packages (use the fakeroot option so you can build as user). you will learn quickly how easy it can be.
(trust me. i am not a programmer i have absolutely no formal computer training at all)
]]>I know that it can be intimidating, but don't be afraid of studying the examples and then trying to make your own. These forums are the most helpful forums I have ever been a part of and there is always someone either here or on the IRC channel that is more than willing to help you if you go astray
]]>abs works via a type of cvs so it only updates what needs to be updated
]]>you should be able to understand how to set up your PKGBUILD.
]]>But I was looking for documentation that was a little more specific and detailed in regards to the pkgbuild.proto sample. Something in the realm of a howto or a mini howto.
]]>I would like to be able to contribute to arch linux. The thing is I am not a programmer but if there was some good documentation as to how to make packages for abs than I would certainly do my best to make packages that would be availabe for all. I use slackware and have a test box with archlinux, but I have not found any documentation on par with makepkg or checkinstall that are available for slackware both from slackware and third parties. So if anyone can point me to some kind of how to or decent documentation about pkgbuild, makepkg and make world for arch linux then I would very much like to learn more about it.
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