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Naming Rules For Linux RPM Packages

When creating an RPM package, it is crucial to follow certain naming conventions to ensure consistency and ease of management. In this tutorial, we will discuss the rules and best practices for naming RPM packages.

  • Package name format:

An RPM package name typically consists of four parts:

name-version-release.architecture.rpm
  • name: The name of the software being packaged.
  • version: The upstream version of the software.
  • release: The distribution-specific release number of the package.
  • architecture: The target CPU architecture for which the package is built (e.g., x86_64, i386, armv7hl).
  • Rules and best practices:

a) Use lowercase letters for package names:

Package names should be in lowercase to avoid confusion and maintain consistency. For instance, use 'example-package' instead of 'Example-Package'.

b) Use alphanumeric characters and dashes:

Stick to alphanumeric characters (letters and numbers) and dashes in package names. Avoid using special characters, underscores, or spaces. For example, use 'example-package' instead of 'example_package' or 'example package'.

c) Separate words with dashes:

When a package name consists of multiple words, separate them with dashes. For instance, use 'my-example-package' instead of 'myexamplepackage'.

d) Avoid using the distribution name:

Do not include the distribution name (e.g., Fedora, CentOS, RHEL) in the package name, as packages may be used across multiple distributions.

e) Use consistent version numbering:

Follow the upstream version numbering scheme. If the upstream version uses a specific numbering convention, maintain it in the package version.

f) Increment the release number:

Each time the package is updated or rebuilt for the same version of the software, increment the release number. This helps users and package managers identify newer builds.

g) Use appropriate architecture labels:

Make sure to use the correct architecture label for the target platform. Common labels include x86_64, i386, armv7hl, and noarch. The 'noarch' label indicates that the package is architecture-independent and can be installed on any platform.

  • Example:

Here is an example of a properly named RPM package:

my-example-package-1.0.0-3.x86_64.rpm
  • my-example-package: Package name.
  • 1.0.0: Software version.
  • 3: Release number.
  • x86_64: Architecture.

By following these naming rules and best practices, you can ensure that your RPM packages are consistent and easy to manage across different distributions and platforms.

  1. Linux RPM package naming conventions: RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) package names follow specific conventions to ensure consistency and compatibility across systems. A typical RPM package name includes the package name, version, release, and architecture.

  2. Creating valid names for RPM packages: Valid RPM package names adhere to the rules mentioned above. For example:

    my-package-name
    
  3. Naming conventions for RPM packages in Red Hat Linux: Red Hat Linux follows the general naming conventions for RPM packages. Example:

    redhat-package
    
  4. Specifying package names in RPM spec files: RPM spec files define how a package is built. In a spec file, you would specify the package name like this:

    Name: my-package
    
  5. Package naming standards in RPM-based distributions: RPM-based distributions like Fedora, CentOS, and openSUSE adhere to the same naming standards. Consistency is crucial for interoperability.