Arch Linux

punkrockguy318

Member

From: New Jersey

Registered: 2004-02-15

Posts: 711

Website

Contributing Packages - The Current State

There has been some confusion going around when contributing packages.  A lot of changes are going on now with the new TUR system, the AUR.  The new AUR will have a nice systematic way of submitting packages.  But currently, there are two ways to submit packages.

1)  Post a PKGBUILD and build scripts of the New and Requested Packages category of the forum.  TURs and developers will look through these PKGBUILDs and pick up any that look interesting to them, and put them in a repository.

2)  Send a PKGBUILD to the tur-mailing list (http://www.archlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/tur-users/).  All the TURs will definately see your PKGBUILD if you post it on the mailing list.  Many TURs prefer new packages on the list, because they will definately see it.  Some TURs don't look at the forum as much as others. 

To be on the safe side, you can do both.

Here are some dont's:

1)  DONT submit packages to incoming.  No one looks at incoming.  Incoming is dead.  Incoming is from the old package submittal submission system, which is now being replaced with the AUR.

2)  DONT submit packages without PKGBUILD scripts.  No one wants a package from an untrusted source that could contain malicious code.

3)  DONT forget to include all files in your submission: .install files, PKGBUILDs, startup scripts, etc.

4)  DONT put patchfiles up on the forum:  the forum will mess up the formatting of the patch.  Upload the patch somewhere and post a link.

5)  DONT use namcap as your only resource for dependencies.  Check ./configure --help, README, INSTALL, and the website of the program.  Namcap is a guide, don't use it as truth.

6)  DONT use the license field yet.  A standard hasn't been decided of what to put there yet, so don't use it yet.

7)  DONT add a maintainer comment to your PKGBUILD unless you have a repository and you maintain it.  Put a contributor comment instead. 

There we go:  If everyone reads these, that will cut down on 90% of the submissions we have to fix    :twisted:

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If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.   1 Corinthians 13:2

neotuli

Lazy Developer

From: London, UK

Registered: 2004-07-06

Posts: 1,204

Website

Re: Contributing Packages - The Current State

Could you transfer that message over into my sticky thread of "finding and creating new packages". I think this fits well with that.

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The suggestion box only accepts patches.

punkrockguy318

Member

From: New Jersey

Registered: 2004-02-15

Posts: 711

Website

Re: Contributing Packages - The Current State

alright i will

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If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.   1 Corinthians 13:2