The Free Standards Group has launched a working group aimed at creating a universal Linux application installation API (application programming interface). The Packaging Workgroup grew from an FSG-sponsored “face-to-face” last month in Berlin, where ISVs (independent software vendors) reportedly met with key Linux software packaging and installation tools developers.

According to Linux-Watch, maintainers of packaging tools such as APT, RPM, yum, alien, klik, and others settled quickly on the concept of an API (application programming interface), when challenged by ISVs to create a universal Linux application installation format.

The API need not duplicate existing package/installation tool functionality, but instead would only need to query systems for their level of compatibility with the LSB standard, register their file manifests with existing application managers, and handle dependencies for that “handful” of components that extend the LSB, according to FSG CTO Ian Murdock, as quoted by Linux-Watch.

The brief Berlin meeting reportedly left many issues unaddressed — including uninstallation. However, interest ran high, prompting the FSG to create the new Packaging Workgroup and re-launch its packaging mailing list.

Additional details can be found in the full Linux-Watch story, here.

 
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