Software Distributor Administrator Guide (September 2010)

1.2.6 Software Dependencies
Software that depends on other software to install or run correctly is considered to
have a dependency. When you specify software for the swconfig, swcopy,
swinstall, swremove, swverify commands, these commands may automatically
select additional software to meet dependencies.
1.2.6.1 How Commands and Options Interact with Dependencies
Command options let you control how software dependencies are handled. For example,
dependency handling in swinstall and swcopy is affected by the
enforce_dependencies command option.
Another option that regulates dependencies is the autoselect_dependencies
option. This option determines if the system should automatically mark software for
installation or copying based on whether it meets dependencies. (See “Using Command
Options” (page 50) for more information on options.)
1.2.6.2 How Dependencies Are Resolved
For a dependency to be resolved with respect to other software on the source depot it
must be:
• Complete (if the dependency is an entire product or subproduct it must exist
completely in the source depot)
• In the proper software state on the source (that is, available)
• Free of errors (for example, no incompatibility errors)
If the dependency is not available from the source during a swconfig, swcopy,
swinstall, or swverify operation, the dependency must:
• Exist on the target host
• Be complete (if the dependency is an entire product or subproduct it must be
completely installed)
• Be in the proper software state (the dependency must be configured if the software
dependent on it is to be installed and configured, installed if software dependent
on it is to be installed but not configured, or available if the software dependent
on it is to be copied)
• Be free of errors (for example, no incompatibility errors).
If you select software that has a dependency and more than one available object resolves
that dependency, SD-UX automatically selects the latest compatible version.
1.2.6.3 Types of Dependencies
Software packagers can define corequisites, prerequisites, and exrequisites as
dependencies. These dependencies can be specified between filesets within a product,
including expressions of which versions of the fileset meet the dependency.
30 Introduction to Software Distributor