[Distutils] RE: [Python-Dev] Installation requirements

[David Ascher]

> [Follow-up to the Distutils SIG, please.]
>
> There are a few steps needed to find and install a package:
> 1) Discovery : which module does what I need?
> 2) Download  : where can I get a copy?
> 3) Security  : is this actually from the package author, and not a Trojan?
> 4) Installation : how do I set it up?
> 5) Checking for new versions: I have 1.0 installed; is a newer version
>    available?
> Some potential sources of inspiration:
>
> Debian: apt
> Perl: CPAM.pm
> FreeBSD: ports system
> RPMfind (rpmfind.net)
> XEmacs: packages system

Perl: OSD/PPM

                  Open Software Distribution (OSD)

                  www.w3.org/tr/note-osd.html,
                  www.microsoft.com/workshop/management/osd/osdfaq.asp

OSD is an XML vocabulary for describing a software
distribution package as a "bill of materials" and
defining relationships and dependencies among its parts.
OSD-based software distribution implementers include Marimba
Inc.'s Castanet, Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Novell Inc.'s
ZENworks and ActiveState Tool Corp.'s Win32 Perl.