Updated April 14, 2023
Definition of Void Linux Packages
Void Linux packages is defined as a list of modules that are present in the Linux-based systems for delivering and maintaining new software in the Void Linux version of Linux distribution. Void is built as a general-purpose operating system that is built based on a monolithic Linux kernel. The kernel is the core of any operating system and it being monolithic makes the services like file system, drivers, printers, VFS, and the core functionalities to share the same space and act as a close-knit group. The package system in Void Linux is very handy and allows users to quickly install or update or remove software depending on the need of the requirement. This package system provides packages either in form of binary forms or can be also built using the XBPS collection of source packages.
Void Linux packages
As we discussed earlier that packages in Void Linux distribution help in delivering new software in the Linux version. In this section, we will talk about how packages are handled in Void Linux and what are elements make working with packages even simpler and convenient. The packages are handled by the XBPS package manager (here XBPS stands for X Binary Package System) and the management is done by the commands as mentioned below:
- xbps-query: This utility in XBPS enables developers to search for a required package and also about the information on the repository. The syntax for running the query is:
xbps-query [OPTIONS] MODE [ARGUMENTS]There are various options available while executing the command on the CLI and this command returns information of the specific package which has been queried for and even list out the packages that are present in the target root directory.
- xbps-install: This command enables developers to install or reinstall or update packages as required by the use case. The changes are done at the target root directory. The syntax for the same is:
xbps-install [OPTIONS] [PKG...]- xbps-remove: This utility assists in removing packages from the target root directory. The way in which the removal process happens is a pre-defined chronology and is followed as a step-to-step process while completing the task of removal. The syntax to execute the same is:
xbps-remove [OPTIONS] [PKGNAME...]- xbps-reconfigure: This utility helps in the re-configuration of the existing installed package in the Void Linux distribution. This is achieved in 2 steps, as the first one is the execution of POST action on the install script following which package state is changed to XBPS_PKG_STATE_INSTALLED in order to indicate successful configuration. The syntax to achieve the required result is:
xbps-reconfigure [OPTIONS] [PKGNAME...]- xbps-alternatives: This utility in void Linux distribution helps in handling alternatives. This sets and lists the alternatives that are provided by the installed packages as symbolic links. These alternatives are then applied when the group is set. The syntax to execute the command is:
xbps-alternatives [OPTIONS] MODE- xbps-pkgdb: In order to modify or report issues in the packages, one can use this utility where it checks for any missing dependencies, files that are modified symbolic links getting changed, and many such errors that have gone required treatment in the newer version of XBPS. The various options in these help in attaining the required functionality while using the utility.
xbps-pkgdb [OPTIONS] [PKGNAME...]- xbps-rindex: With this utility, one can manage any local binary package repositories by creating, updating, or removing any obsolete packages that are stored in the local repositories. The syntax to attain the required functionality is:
xbps-rindex [OPTIONS] MODE [ARGUMENTS]The above utilities can be researched more from the man pages. Apart from the using of XBPS package manager, there are various transaction that needs to be complete in order to properly use the packages in Void Linux. These transactions are:
- Updating of the system: In order to get the latest features, one has to keep the void system up to date and this includes the packages being up to date as well. to do this one can use the utility of xbps-install.
- Restarting of services: The restart of the services doesn’t happen automatically as it leaves room for the administrator to schedule the maintenance in such a way that things like backup, other work-related shut down of applications are well thought of before orchestrating.
- Panic post updating: In case of unwanted situations when the Linux goes into the panic post any updates, it is most likely that the system has run out of space and in this case manually intervening to remove the old kernels help in getting it back to the normal scenario.
Now, the concept of repositories is where we have the list of all the binary packages for anyone to use and build on top of the existing system in void Linux. The repositories can be local as well as remote. The repository where the void packages are available enables XBPS to build the binary packages for the Linux distribution using the utilities we mentioned in the above few paragraphs. The bundling is segregated into 3 different types:
- Common: These contain the common utilities that ensure the building of binary packages in the Void Linux distribution
- Etc: This contains the required configuration files which also assist in building the binary packages.
- Srcpkgs: These contain the list of all the utilities that assist in making the void distribution of Linux a usable one. Some of the examples are LuaJIT which includes binary files to deploy Just in time compiler for Lua programming language. Another example is R-cran-R6 which directs to the home page of the R infrastructure to help with the R programming language in the Void Linux distribution.
Apart from all these packages, there are some restricted packages that are not a part of the distribution and are maintained officially. These packages can be also built by the template in void packages locally within the distribution.
Conclusion
With this article coming to an end, we have learned what packages in the void Linux distribution has to offer. We have also looked at the various elements of the Void Linux distribution like XBPS manager, its utilities, etc. which makes the usage of packages a seamless one.
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