This document discusses RPM packaging and the RPM build process. It describes the components of an RPM, including the SPEC file and sources/patches. The SPEC file structure is outlined, including the preamble with metadata and the body sections for descriptions, preparing, building, installing, checking, and listing files. Helper tools for packaging common languages like Go, Perl, Python and Ruby are also mentioned.

1. RPM Packaging
How software delivery works and why RPM packaging is more current than ever
Fabio Alessandro Locati
26 October 2016

2. Outline
Intro
RPM Processes
1

3. Intro

4. About me
2

5. About me
• RPM user since 2001
2

6. About me
• RPM user since 2001
• IT Consultant since 2004
2

7. About me
• RPM user since 2001
• IT Consultant since 2004
• RPM creator since 2013
2

8. RPM components
3

9. RPM components
• SPEC file
3

10. RPM components
• SPEC file
• Sources files (at least 1)
3

11. RPM components
• SPEC file
• Sources files (at least 1)
• Patches (eventually)
3

12. RPM Processes

13. RPM build process
4

14. RPM build process
• Fetch of the SPEC file
4

15. RPM build process
• Fetch of the SPEC file
• Fetch of sources/patches
4

16. RPM build process
• Fetch of the SPEC file
• Fetch of sources/patches
• Creation of the .src.rpm file
4

17. RPM build process
• Fetch of the SPEC file
• Fetch of sources/patches
• Creation of the .src.rpm file
• Creation of binaries .rpm files
4

18. The SPEC file structure
5

19. The SPEC file structure
• Preamble
5

20. The SPEC file structure
• Preamble
• Body
5

21. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
6

22. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
6

23. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
6

24. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
• Release
6

25. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
• Release
• Summary
6

26. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
• Release
• Summary
• License
6

27. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
• Release
• Summary
• License
• URL
6

28. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
• Release
• Summary
• License
• URL
• SourceX
6

29. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
• Release
• Summary
• License
• URL
• SourceX
• PatchX
6

30. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
• Release
• Summary
• License
• URL
• SourceX
• PatchX
• BuildArch
6

31. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
• Release
• Summary
• License
• URL
• SourceX
• PatchX
• BuildArch
• BuildRequires
6

32. The SPEC file structure - the preamble
• Name
• Version
• Release
• Summary
• License
• URL
• SourceX
• PatchX
• BuildArch
• BuildRequires
• Requires
6

33. Body sections
7

34. Body sections
• %description: Long description
7

35. Body sections
• %description: Long description
• %prep: Commands to prepare the environment for the build
7

36. Body sections
• %description: Long description
• %prep: Commands to prepare the environment for the build
• %build: Commands to build the software
7

37. Body sections
• %description: Long description
• %prep: Commands to prepare the environment for the build
• %build: Commands to build the software
• %install: Commands to install the software
7

38. Body sections
• %description: Long description
• %prep: Commands to prepare the environment for the build
• %build: Commands to build the software
• %install: Commands to install the software
• %check: Commands to test the software
7

39. Body sections
• %description: Long description
• %prep: Commands to prepare the environment for the build
• %build: Commands to build the software
• %install: Commands to install the software
• %check: Commands to test the software
• %files: List of files and folders to be included in the package
7

40. Body sections
• %description: Long description
• %prep: Commands to prepare the environment for the build
• %build: Commands to build the software
• %install: Commands to install the software
• %check: Commands to test the software
• %files: List of files and folders to be included in the package
• %changelog: Change history
7

41. Demo
8

42. Helpers
• GO: gofed
• Perl: cpan2rpm
• Python: pyp2rpm
• Ruby: gem2rpm
9

43. Additional resources
• Slides: https://slides.fale.io/20161026-en-rpm.pdf
• Demo code: https://github.com/Fale/demo-specs
• Official website: http://rpm.org
• Fedora guide: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/How_to_create_an_RPM_package
• RPM Guide: http://rpm-guide.readthedocs.io
10