On Thu, Jan 15, 2009 at 08:37:31AM +1100, Craig Small wrote: > On Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 12:17:04PM -0800, Ashley Ward wrote: > > I'm interested in learning how debian is able to have so many > > packages maintained. What is the process you use to compile them. > > How do you keep up with all the different software sources? >
<snip craig's intro> > Next we have about 20 architectures that most packages need to be built > on. Generally a package is uploaded once and works on a standard PC > (i386). We have a bunch of systems called buildd[1] that take the > new packages and builds them for the other architectures. I have an (incomplete & out-of-date) diagram of the way in which the software building process is automated here[0]. As was noted, Debian has a lot of packages and to make this useable in a reasonible time frame, a lot of automation is required for ever part of the Debian system. There are bug trackers, software package status pages, software package builders, multiple communication channels (irc -- for realtime communication, mailing lists for regular asynchrous discussions, world-wide meeting to deal with long-term project goals or single topics, bug sprints). There are also tools that check the packages before they are included in the distro like lintian so that the software package meets some basic project standards, and tools that handle the migration from the 'unstable' stream to the 'testing' stream. Debian developer are always busy maintaining or developing tools to make their jobs easier. Hope that answers some more of your question. Feel free to ask a more specific question if needed. -K [0] http://mysite.verizon.net/kevin.mark/newdebian2.png -- | .''`. == Debian GNU/Linux == | my web site: | | : :' : The Universal |mysite.verizon.net/kevin.mark/| | `. `' Operating System | go to counter.li.org and | | `- http://www.debian.org/ | be counted! #238656 | | my keyserver: subkeys.pgp.net | my NPO: cfsg.org | |join the new debian-community.org to help Debian! | |_______ Unless I ask to be CCd, assume I am subscribed _______| -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [email protected] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [email protected]
