Software Package Builder 5.0 User's Guide

2 Software Packaging
If you are new to software packaging, this chapter provides an overview of the software packaging
process and basic concepts. If you are already an experienced packager, you may want to use
this chapter as a review, or move to Chapter 3: “Software Package Builder Features”.Chapter 3,
“Software Package Builder Features.”
This chapter covers the following topics:
• “Software Package Overview” (page 15)
• “Software Packaging Lifecycle” (page 16)
• “Software Package Structure” (page 17)
• “Product Specification File” (page 20)
• “Packaging Policies” (page 22)
Software Package Overview
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 the software product to a distribution media
• Produce the software product in mass quantities
• Install the software product on multiple systems
Software Package Overview 15