[yocto] The term Package as used in the YP docs

[Rudolf Streif]

+1

I agree with Scott's definition. In the general Linux context a Package is
a compilation of binaries, documentation, development files, etc. wrapped
up in a format that can be used by a package management system to install
it on a target system.

It is somewhat confusing that YP and OE use the term 'package' synonymously
with 'recipe'. In most cases a package is the output of a recipe.

I am all for making this more consistent at least to start with in the
documentation. Unfortunately, changing variables like P, PN, PV, PR etc.
may cause some pain. If a transition is what the broader community would
like to achieve then a period where old and new variables can be used
interchangeably (if possible) would be the way to go.

:rjs

On Fri, Sep 28, 2012 at 11:14 AM, Rifenbark, Scott M <
scott.m.rifenbark at intel.com> wrote:

>  This post will have some strong opinions and responses.  But, I want to
> throw this out as a re-write of the term “Package” as defined in the YP
> Development Manual’s “Terms” section.  I gave this a shot based on my brief
> understanding and on some email that was tossed about a while back on the
> term.  What I would like to ultimately come up with is a definition that
> works for the term as we want to use it in the YP docs and also as an
> explanation for some of our older variable names like PR, PV, and so forth
> that really refer to recipes.  Please thrash over it….****
>
> ** **
>
> **·         ***Package:* In the context of the Yocto Project, this term
> refers to the packaged output from a baked recipe. A package is generally
> the compiled binaries produced from the recipe's sources. You ‘bake’
> something by running it through BitBake.****
>
> It is worth noting that the term "package" can, in general, have subtle
> meanings. For example, the packages refered to in the "The Packages<http://www.yoctoproject.org/docs/1.3/yocto-project-qs/yocto-project-qs.html#packages>"
> section are compiled binaries that when installed add functionality to your
> Linux distribution.****
>
> Another point worth noting is that historically within the Yocto Project,
> recipes were referred to as packages - thus, the existence of several
> BitBake variables that are seemingly mis-named, (e.g. PR<http://www.yoctoproject.org/docs/1.3/poky-ref-manual/poky-ref-manual.html#var-PR>,
> PRINC<http://www.yoctoproject.org/docs/1.3/poky-ref-manual/poky-ref-manual.html#var-PRINC>,
> PV<http://www.yoctoproject.org/docs/1.3/poky-ref-manual/poky-ref-manual.html#var-PV>,
> and PE<http://www.yoctoproject.org/docs/1.3/poky-ref-manual/poky-ref-manual.html#var-PE>).
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *Scott Rifenbark***
>
> Intel Corporation****
>
> Yocto Project Documentation****
>
> 503.712.2702****
>
> 503.341.0418 (cell)****
>
> ** **
>
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