13. Downloading and Installing Software
A software package is the collection of scripts, programs, files, and directories required to run a software application, including utilities and system software. Using packages makes it easier to transfer, install, and uninstall applications. A package contains either executable files or source code files. Executable files are precompiled for a specific processor and operating system, whereas source files need to be compiled but will run on a wide range of machines and operating systems.
Software for your system can come in different kinds of packages, such as rpm (page 487), the GNU Configure and Build System (page 491), tar, compressed tar, and others. The most popular package is rpm. Other packages (such as tar), which were popular before the introduction of rpm, are used less often today because they require more work on the part of the installer (you) and do not provide the depth of prerequisite and compatibility checking that rpm offers. Newer programs such as yum (discussed next) not only check for compatibility but also obtain over the Internet additional software required to install and run a given software package. |