Autopackage facts for kids
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Autopackage ready to install software on Ubuntu
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| Original author(s) | Mike Hearn |
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| Developer(s) | Jan Niklas Hasse |
| Initial release | Around 2002 |
| Stable release |
1.4.2 / May 24, 2009
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| Written in | Bash, C, C++ and Python |
| Operating system | Linux |
| Type | Package management system |
| License | GNU Lesser General Public License |
Autopackage is a special computer system that helps you install software easily on Linux computers. It's like a universal installer for Linux programs. It was created by Mike Hearn around 2002.
The main goal of Autopackage was to make it simple to create one software package that could work on many different versions of Linux. This was a big help because Linux has many different "distributions" (like different flavors of an operating system).
In August 2010, Autopackage joined forces with another similar project called Listaller. They decided to combine their efforts.
Some popular programs, like aMSN (an instant messaging program) and Inkscape (a drawing program), used to offer Autopackage installers. However, the list of programs available through Autopackage became quite small over time. Also, many of the program versions available were very old. For example, the latest Autopackage version of GIMP (an image editor) was 2.2.6, even though GIMP itself had moved on to much newer versions.
Contents
How Autopackage Works
Autopackage was designed to install specific types of programs. It focused on "binary" versions of software. Binary means the program is already compiled and ready to run. Think of it like an app you download that's already built.
What Programs Autopackage Installs
Autopackage was great for installing apps that aren't essential for the computer to run. This includes programs like:
- Word processors (for writing documents)
- Web browsers (for surfing the internet)
- Personal computer games (for playing fun games)
It was not meant for installing core parts of the computer system, like important libraries (which are like shared code that many programs use) or parts of the operating system shell (which helps you control the computer).
Making Linux Easier to Use
One big idea behind Autopackage was to make Linux more like a desktop computer system, similar to Windows or macOS. It aimed to create stable ways for programs to work across different Linux versions.
Autopackage was not meant to replace the usual ways Linux systems install their main programs and libraries. Using Autopackage for these core parts could sometimes cause problems. This is because it might conflict with programs already installed by the system's own package manager.
Working with Other Package Systems
Autopackage was designed to work alongside a Linux distribution's regular package system. Linux distributions often use systems like RPM or deb to install software.
Unlike these systems, Autopackage checks for "dependencies" in a different way. Dependencies are like ingredients a program needs to run. Instead of looking at a database of installed programs, Autopackage simply checks if the necessary files are already on your computer. This made it simpler to design, as it didn't need to know every single program choice for every Linux version.
Installing Anywhere
Programs that use Autopackage also had to be "relocatable." This means they could be installed in different folders on your computer. You didn't have to install them in one specific spot. This was useful because it meant a regular user, without special administrator rights, could install an Autopackage program in their own home folder.
Autopackage File Format
Autopackage files usually end with the extension `.package`. They are actually special bash scripts that you can run to install the software.
How Autopackage Files Work
When you run an Autopackage file, it installs the program. The files inside an Autopackage are not easy to open or extract by just any program. You need Autopackage itself to understand how the files are arranged inside.
Sometimes, Autopackage programs would install files into specific system folders. This could occasionally cause conflicts with programs already installed by other methods. If this happened, you might need to uninstall an older version of a program before installing it with Autopackage.
The Autopackage files could also be installed and removed using the Listaller tool. Listaller could include Autopackage files within its own package format and manage them just like any other Listaller package.
See Also
In Spanish: Autopackage para niños
- AppImage
- Flatpak
- Listaller
- Package management system
- Bundle (software distribution)
- Linux package formats
- List of software package management systems
