depend(4)

NAME

     depend - software dependencies file

DESCRIPTION

     depend is an ASCII file used to specify information concern-
     ing software dependencies for a particular package. The file
     is created by a software developer.

     Each entry in the depend file describes  a  single  software
     package.  The instance of the package is described after the
     entry line by giving the package  architecture  and/or  ver-
     sion.  The  format  of  each  entry  and subsequent instance
     definition is:

     type pkg name
          (arch)version
          (arch)version
             ...

     The fields are:

     type  Defines the dependency type. Must be one of  the  fol-
           lowing characters:

           P     Indicates a prerequisite for  installation;  for
                 example, the referenced package or versions must
                 be installed.

           I     Implies that  the  existence  of  the  indicated
                 package or version is incompatible.

           R     Indicates  a  reverse  dependency.  Instead   of
                 defining  the  package's  own dependencies, this
                 designates that another package depends on  this
                 one.  This  type should be used only when an old
                 package does not have a depend file, but  relies
                 on the newer package nonetheless. Therefore, the
                 present package should not  be  removed  if  the
                 designated  old  package  is still on the system
                 since, if it is removed, the old package will no
                 longer work.

     pkg   Indicates the package abbreviation.

     name  Specifies the full package name.

     (arch)version
           Specifies a particular instance  of  the  software.  A
           version name cannot begin with a left parenthesis. The
           instance specifications, both (arch) and version,  are
           completely  optional, but each (arch)version pair must
           begin on a new line that begins with  white  space.  A
           null  version  set equates to any version of the indi-
           cated package.

EXAMPLES

     Example 1: Sample of depend file

     Here are the contents of  a  sample  depend  file,  for  the
     SUNWftpr     (FTP     Server)     package,     stored     in
     /var/sadm/pkg/SUNWftpr/install:

     P SUNWcar       Core Architecture, (Root)
     P SUNWkvm       Core Architecture, (Kvm)
     P SUNWcsr       Core Solaris, (Root)
     P SUNWcsu       Core Solaris, (Usr)
     P SUNWcsd       Core Solaris Devices
     P SUNWcsl       Core Solaris Libraries
     R SUNWftpu      FTP Server, (Usr)

SEE ALSO

     pkginfo(4)

     Application Packaging Developer's Guide