| Online application build service supports multiple Linuxes |
Jan. 24, 2007
ISVs (independent software vendors) have a problem with Linux. They want to be able to write, compile and ship one version of an application. They don't want to make one for SUSE, another for Red Hat, and still another for Ubuntu.
Novell Inc. has an answer. On Jan. 24, the company released the alpha version of the open-source openSUSE Build Service, described as an innovative framework that provides an infrastructure for software developers to easily create and compile packages for multiple Linux distributions.
For developers, Novell claims that the new build service will mean they won't need to maintain "compiler farms" of different hardware platforms to build packages for different architectures. It will also provide automatic resolving of dependencies to other packages. If a package depends on another package, this package will be triggered for a rebuild automatically if the depending package is rebuilt.
The build service also enables programmers to link to other projects. Based on this capability, a developer's patches can be tested with the newest packages from other projects. For example, suppose a developer has a patch for the Amarok KDE music player and wants to test it in a defined environment. He can create a link to the KDE project and use it as an environment for his own tests. The result? His patched version of Amarok will always be triggered for a rebuild when the KDE project initiates a new build.
The build service can be used in several ways: via the Web Interface; via the Command Line Tool, which can use either Perl or Python; or my means of any tool that implements the public API (application programming interface). There is also a cross distribution package how to and a Build Service Tutorial.
The openSUSE Build Service contains a server back-end and a client front-end. The server back-end hosts sources, the build infrastructure, package download and mirroring tools, and communication infrastructures. The client front-end includes the tools and interfaces needed to organize and build packages from source code.
Programmers will also be able to directly access code stored in popular source repositories such as Novell Forge and SourceForge. The source and documentation for the build service tools will be hosted within pages on the openSUSE project and Novell Forge; at the moment, however, they do not appear to be present. This may be because Novell Forge is in the process of being switched from its old Web site to a new Wiki-based developer site.
In any case, the project is currently in alpha, and accounts are currently only being given to experienced and known packagers who can deal with the alpha state of the Build Service. To apply for an account, follow the instructions in the Build Service Tutorial.
Commenting on the launch of Novell's new Build Service, Holger Dyroff, VP of outbound product management for SUSE Linux Enterprise, stated, "The openSUSE Build Service is now completely open source, giving developers and users free and full access to build their choice of Linux packages, whether based on openSUSE, SUSE Linux Enterprise, Fedora, Debian, Ubuntu or other projects. This proves Novell's continuous commitment to the open source community. The openSUSE Build Service is the unique distribution development platform for the creation of Linux packages for multiple distributions and broad user audiences."
Novell also announced the immediate availability of KIWI, a system imaging tool to create live media, including Xen virtual images. With this, open-source developers can more quickly build a Linux distribution that meets their particular use case, rigorously test it to ensure product quality, and easily package it for quick installation.
Combined with the openSUSE Build Service, open source developers can maintain and build packages at a single location for multiple Linux distributions. From this repository, developers can create complete system images using KIWI.
For users, this service will mean that it will be easier to find and download the latest open-source packages for their distributions, including upgrades for older packages. For example, a SUSE 10 user could download a copy of KDE 3.5.
While only an alpha at this time, the project appears to hold great promise for both developers and users of Linux-based software programs, no matter which distribution they favor for daily use.
-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
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