Software distribution: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Process of delivering software and the content used in that process}}

{{Expert-subject|Computing|date=August 2008}}

{{About|the distribution of software|collections of software components|Distro (disambiguation){{!}}Distro}}

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{{More citations needed|date=September 2023}}

'''Software distribution''' is the process of delivering software and it is the [[computer resource|asset]] that contains the [[data]] used in the process.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vEHe8PdtMKwC&dq=%22Software+distribution+is%22&pg=PA281 |title=Beyond computing and connectivity: Where is communications technology taking US? ; Proceedings of the 4th Annual Connectivity and Technology Symposium ; January 1993, Center for Connectivity & Data Bases, West Chester University |date=1993 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=978-1-56806-279-2 |language=en}}</ref>

A '''software distribution''', also referred to as a '''software distro''', is a bundle of a specific [[software]] (or a collection of multiple, even an entire [[operating system]]), already compiled and configured. It is generally the closest thing to a [[turnkey]] form of a usually [[GNU General Public License|GPL]] or [[open source]] source code for a software. It may take the form of a ''Binary Distribution'', an [[executable]] installer which can be downloaded from the [[Internet]]. Examples range from whole operating system distributions to [[server]] and [[interpreter (computer science)|interpreter]] distributions (for example [[WAMP]] installers). ''Software distribution'' can also refer to [[Careware]] and [[Donateware]].

==Free software distribution tools==

They can be either official distributions by the makers of the software, or [[3rd party]] distributions. Notable is the fact that one using such 3rd party distributions will have to turn to the distribution maker for support, the developers of the actual software being distributed usually do not provide support for 3rd party distributions of their software.

[[GNU buildBuild systemSystem|GNU Autotools]] are widely used for distributions which consist of source files written in [[C++]] and the [[C (programming language)|C programming language]], but are not limited to these.

==Commercial software distribution tools==

==Vendors==

* [[LANDesk]] Management Suite provides software distribution for Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Vendors of software distributions systems include:

* [[Dell KACE]] provides remote administration, software distribution, and [[Installation (computer programs)|software installation]] to any Windows, Mac, or Linux desktop or server.

* [[Altiris]] with Deployment Solution

* [[BMC Software]] with Marimba

* [[gNewSense]] the Completely free (as in freedom) operating system

* [[HP]] with Radia

* [[IBM]] with Tivoli Configuration Manager

* [[KACE Networks|KACE]] with KBOX

* [[LANDesk]] with Management Suite

* [[M23 software distribution system]]: m23 is an [[OpenSource]] and [[GNU General Public License|GPL]]'d solution for installation of Debian and Ubuntu systems.

* [[OCS Inventory NG]] OCS Inventory Development Team [[OpenSource]] and [[GNU General Public License, version 2.0]]

* [[Microsoft]] ConfigMgr (System Center Configuration Manager 2007)

* [[Microsoft]] SMS (Systems Management Server)

* [[Microsoft SLPS]](Software Licensing and Protection Services)

* [[Microsoft]] SCE (System Centered Essentials)

* [[Novell ZENworks]]

* Scalable WinINSTALL [http://www.scalable.com/]

* [[Sybase iAnywhere]] Afaria

* [[Sybase iAnywhere]] RemoteWare

* [[Symantec]] with iCommand

* [[WPKG]] Easy Software Deployment. WPKG is an [[OpenSource]] solution for software deployment on Windows PCs.

==Distribution Toolstools for Mobilemobile Devicesdevices==

{{Expand list|date=August 2008}}

Distribution of software to small [[Mobile computer|mobile devices]] such as phones, PDAs and other hand-held terminals is a particular challenge due to their ad-hocinconsistent connectivityconnection to the Internet. Some tools that cater to this category of devices are:

==Open Source Distribution Tools==

[[GNU build system|GNU Autotools]] are widely used for distributions which consist of source files written in [[C++]] and the [[C (programming language)|C programming language]], but are not limited to these.

The [[Python (programming language)|Python programming language]] offers a distribution utility called [http://docs.python.org/lib/module-distutils.html distutils], which requires the creation of a <tt>setup.py</tt> configuration file.

==Distribution Tools for Mobile Devices==

Distribution of software to small [[Mobile computer|mobile devices]] such as phones, PDAs and other hand-held terminals is a particular challenge due to their ad-hoc connectivity.

Some tools that cater to this category of devices are:

* [[Sybase iAnywhere]] Afaria

==Standard FilesSee also ==

*[[Provisioning (technology)]]

[[Open source]] projects typically contain a few standard files that live in the root of the distribution extraction. These files are most commonly named:

* ''[[README]]'' - top level documentation overview

* ''[[Changelog]]'' - list of changes spanning the life of the project

* ''INSTALL'' - instructions on how to install

* ''LICENSE'' or ''COPYING'' - conditions of use and redistribution

* ''CREDITS'' or ''AUTHORS'' - attribution for project contributors

Some less frequently used names that you might also see:

* ''[[FAQ]]'' - frequently asked questions (and answers)

* ''TODO'' - list of features yet to be implemented

* ''BUGS'' - list of [[software bug]]s

* ''HACKING'' - development guide for new participants

* ''NEWS'' - interesting project information, sometimes used in place of the [[Changelog]]

== <!-- ==References== {{Reflist}}--> References ==

[[Category:<references />{{Software distribution]]}}

{{reflist}}

{{Software digital distribution platforms}}

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[[Category:Software distribution| ]]

==See also==

[[Category:Software delivery methods|*]]

* [[Installation (computer programs)]]

[[Category:Software distribution]]

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