Common Software Packaging Formats
There are several software packaging formats available so the format of a software package determines how it’s distributed, installed, and managed. Below are some common software packaging formats used across different operating systems.
1. Windows
- MSI (Microsoft Installer): MSI offers granular control over installation and removal so is widely used by Windows applications,
- EXE (Executable file): EXE files are often used for smaller applications so they are simple format for standalone programs.
2. macOS
- PKG: PKG have function similar to MSI so they are Standard format for installing applications on macOS.
- DMG (Disk Image): DMG are Often used for the process of distributing installers as virtual disk images that need to be mounted before installation.
3. Linux
- RPM (Red Hat Package Manager): RPM offer great dependency management so they become Popular format to be used in Red Hat-based distributions and derivatives
- DEB (Debian package): DEB are similar in structure to RPM that are Used in Debian-based distributions.
4. Mobile
- APK (Android Package Kit): the standard format used on android devices for installing any applications.
- IPA (iOS App): The format used for distributing and installing apps on Apple devices.
5. Some other Notable Formats
- WAR (Web Application Archive): WAR are Used for deploying web applications on servers like Tomcat or Jetty.
- JAR (Java Archive): JAR are software package used to bind Java class files and resources together.
- Docker Image: Docker Contains a complete software environment that is isolated from the host system.
What is Software Package?
These days the ever-changing field of technology has made software packages very important because they are a core element of modern computing and they serve as a collection of all resources in one file from computer programs, files, and required documentation.
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