Linux Packaging
Knowing the common kernel commands and features of a linus packaging
Unlike Operating Systems like windows that are installed with across the board standard features via a CD, a basic installation of Linux simply consists of common kernel commands and a few features. A Linux system administrator may pick and choose the utilities, programs or applications and other components and selectively install them in an appropriate location on the filesystem.
Simple applications may consist of just one executable file. A typical application is more complex and consists of several executables, configuration files, user guides and libraries. All of this is coupled with information about an appropriate location for the application into an archived, compressed Linux package. The Linux administrator installs and maintains packages required by the system's users.
Unix packages come in the form of zip-type tarballs (with a .tar.gz or similar extension). Tarballs are not user friendly and most tarballed applications may need recompiling. User friendly package formats like RPM (Red Hat versions) and DEB (Debian versions) simplify installation. Some common tools used to install packages include pkgtool - widely used to install packages and also create packages. The different package formats come with their own eponymous tools (rpm, deb etc.).
