Packaging Applications in SD-UX Format Using Software Package Builder

packaging applications in software distributor format using software package builder
introduction
Applications for HP-UX are often distributed in software package formats that are not visible to
Software Distributor (SD-UX), the HP-UX native software management toolset. This makes software
inventory, removal, and redistribution more difficult.
By packaging your software in SD-UX format, you have access to a powerful set of management
commands that improve your ability to manage software. Software Package Builder (SPB) simplifies
the process of creating a software package, allowing you to easily repackage software installed
from various formats into SD-UX format.
executive summary
With Software Package Builder (SPB), you can easily package software installed from various
software formats into SD-UX format, allowing you to manage software with the SD-UX software
management toolset.
This paper is divided into three sections: section I: overview of software packaging; section II:
procedures for packaging software in SD-UX format using SPB; and section III: introduction to
SD-UX commands for software package management.
section I: overview of software packaging
Application software is delivered in units called software packages. A software package is a
collection of files and directories required to install a software product. Generally, a software
package is designed and built by the application developer after completing the development of
the application code. Building a software product into one or more software packages gives you
the ability to do the following:
• transfer a software product to a distribution media
• produce a software product in mass quantities
• install a software product on numerous systems
packaging software in SD-UX format
If your task is managing software applications, you may have software that is packaged in
multiple, installer-specific formats such as tar or gzip. To manage your software packages more
efficiently, it is helpful to work with a set of software packages that are all in the same format. If
packaged in SD-UX format, you have a powerful set of commands available to assist you in
software package management tasks. Software Package Builder (SPB) is a new tool with a GUI
and CLI that can assist in packaging all your software in SD-UX format.
SPB and SD-UX
It is important to understand the relationship between SPB and SD-UX.
SD-UX commands are included with the HP-UX operating system and allow you to package
software into the SD-UX format, as well as create, distribute, and manage software from software
depots. SD-UX commands support numerous software package management tasks. Of these, the
swpackage command creates a software package by combining the files the user wants to deliver
and a product specification file (PSF).
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