Why SRPMs

hhegab · 09-24-2005, 03:09 AM

Hi all!

I want to know why do linux companies supply SRPMs CDs of their distros?
I mean, is it only to compy with terms of the GPL licince terms or is it possible for users to use them to install Linux.
I had this question in mind because I noticed that I installed FC4 which is compiled for i386 arch. and I guess this is not the optimized solution, so I thought to ask to see if we can install Linux from the sources Cds.

thanks

hhegab

acid_kewpie · 09-24-2005, 04:26 AM

it does have a lot to do with GPL requirements, as many distro makers modify packages themselves for their needs, but they are pretty useful if needed. By compiling the packages yourself you can build packages to suit your system more, as you observed by building on a real i686 system rather than the more generic i386.

hhegab · 09-24-2005, 04:40 AM

Thanks for the reply,

Is it possiple to compile them myself, or shall it be a difficult task? I mean, is it automated using the first CD or shall it require more tedious work?

hhegab

acid_kewpie · 09-24-2005, 05:50 AM

it's normally quite simple, but i've never really needed to use them. The rpm syntax has changed a lot over the years, but currently i *think* you can build an srpm into a binary optimized rpm using "rpm --rebuild blah.srpm" but don't quote me on that, there used to be an rpmbuild command which i think went away, and also -ta -tb -ba or -bb options.

hhegab · 09-24-2005, 06:01 AM

I may give it a try soon!
I shall feedback if I do, thanks anyway

hhegab

XavierP · 09-24-2005, 06:49 AM

the RedHat and Fedora mailing lists and how tos have detailed instructions on using SRPMs. I'd suggest Googling for "srpm build" or variations on what you want to do. I think that there are around 5 steps for this.