Cross-distro software installation: AppStream project
Damjan
I don't know if you guys missed this, but around beginning of February
2011, the major desktop distros got together and designed a
distribution-independent way to install applications on Linux, using
an app store (http://www.serverwatch.com/news/article.php/3923161/
Linux-Looks-to-Apple-Model.htm).
The official website is at http://distributions.freedesktop.org/wiki/AppStream
but I haven't been able to find how they plan to deal with the usual
issues yet (binary compatibility/install locations/dependencies/
parallel versions).
Do you guys know anything about this? What do you think? How does it
affect Listaller and related projects?
Thank you
Damjan
Matthias Klumpp
On Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:12:39 -0700 (PDT), Damjan <damja...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> I don't know if you guys missed this, but around beginning of February
> 2011, the major desktop distros got together and designed a
> distribution-independent way to install applications on Linux, using
> an app store (http://www.serverwatch.com/news/article.php/3923161/
> Linux-Looks-to-Apple-Model.htm).
Of course we haven't missed this announcement :) In fact, I thought about
attending the meeting, but then I wasn't able to come. (Couldn't find
enough free time)
> The official website is at
> http://distributions.freedesktop.org/wiki/AppStream
> but I haven't been able to find how they plan to deal with the usual
> issues yet (binary compatibility/install locations/dependencies/
> parallel versions).
Well, this is because this is not a core goal of AppStream. AppStream aims
to create one way to implement a "Software Center"-like functionality.
Which means data like screenshots, icons and cache specs will be shared
between distributions. So software like the "Ubuntu Software Center" (USC)
will be used on Fedora, openSUSE, Mandriva, ... too, cause all
distributions share the same metadata. The package manager of every
distribution will remain as it is today, the SC will connect to it via
PackageKit. This means the Software"Store" of every distribution will only
be able to offer applications which are in the repos already.
You can find a graphic how this architecture will work here:
http://distributions.freedesktop.org/wiki/AppStream/ArchitectureNotes
Via AppStream, a lot of Listaller's goals will be achieved soon: Listaller
started with the ultimate goal to make "software management on Linux as
easy as possible for the average home user" - this will now be possible via
AppStream, cause it features a really user-centered software management
frontend with a nice design.
Which brings us to...
> Do you guys know anything about this? What do you think? How does it
> affect Listaller and related projects?
The effects are already visible. Since AppStream solves a lot of the
problems Listaller wanted to solve, we will now focus on the part of
Listaller which is not covered by the AppStream specs: 3rd-party software
installations. This was dicussed on the AppStream meeting, but no final
discussion was made, just the note that it "would be useful". As you can
see on ( http://distributions.freedesktop.org/wiki/AppStream/ActionItems )
at time a Klik-like solution is favoured, but the team is open for
discussion.
Listaller will become a PlugIn to PackageKit and AppStream as direct
consequence of this. Creating a bridge between PackageKit and Listaller was
started a long time ago and will offer native software managers like
GNOME-PackageKit, the USC or Apper to install Listaller IPK packages and to
remove them. AppStream integration will enhance the experience and make
look Listaller-installed apps like native tools.
To avoid some more possible problems, I'm rewriting Listaller's codebase
in Vala at time. (Pascal was used before)
After discussion on the FD.o ML, Listaller will now also receive Sandbox
functionality by default to make 3rd-party apps run more secure.
Install locations will be handled by Listaller more strict (less options
to modify them in IPS scripts), to let Listaller take control over the
install process. (Then, distributors will have options to ensure 3rd-party
apps are installed in a way which is compliant to their specs) All apps
will go to /opt, as they did before or ~/.appdata on a HOME-Install.
In dependencies Listaller will be able to use ZeroInstall feeds as
dependency source as well as native packages. Specs for this are not
complete and in progress at time.
Parallel versions are not possible with Listaller by default, but
packagers will have an option to make it possible to allow parallel
installed versions of their software. (Necessary to avoid crashes due
changed configuration)
Binary relocation will be handled with BinReloc, as usual.
Thanks for your question, I hope I clarified these things a little... All
the stuff above will take it's time, cause currently I'm the only active
developer on Listaller - I hope the switch to Vala will interest some more
devs :P
You can find details about the next steps on my blog too:
http://blog.nlinux.org/blog/2011/02/19/listaller-the-next-steps/
Regards,
Matthias