Creating software packages

The mkinstallp command allows users to create their own software packages for AIX.

Packages created with the mkinstallp command are in installp format and are installed or removed with the mkinstallp command.

Files to be packaged by the mkinstallp command must be in a directory structure such that the location of the file relative to the root build directory is the same as the destination of the file after installation. For example, if the /usr/bin/somecommand command is to be installed by a mkinstallp package, the somecommand parameter must be in the buildroot/usr/bin directory when the mkinstallp command is invoked.

When the contents of a package are in the correct directory structure, the mkinstallp command prompts for basic package data through the command line. This data includes the package name, requisites, descriptions of files to be packaged, and more. The mkinstallp command then generates a template file based on responses given by the user. To prevent command line prompting when using a template file, create and edit the template file directly and use the mkinstallp command with the -T flag.

For example, to package the /usr/bin/foo command using the /tmp/packages directory as the build root, make sure the following directory structure exists by typing the following at the command line:

mkdir /tmp/packages
touch /tmp/packages/usr/bin/foo

Then type the following:

mkinstallp -d /tmp/packages

For more examples, refer to the /usr/lpp/bos/README.MKINSTALLP file.

The mkinstallp command is included with the bos.adt.insttools fileset.