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Date:      Wed, 12 Aug 98 15:24:41 +0200
From:      Thierry.Herbelot@alcatel.fr
To:        fbsdlist@federation.addy.com
Cc:        questions@FreeBSD.ORG
Subject:   Port vs package logic
Message-ID:  <H000057c01776e25@MHS>
In-Reply-To: <Pine.BSF.3.95q.980812083055.10832A-100000@federation.addy.com>

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Hello,

>From what I've learned so far :
- packages are pre-compiled directly installable applications,
- ports are (essentially) the automated way of recompiling the same
applications on your system.

packages are great if :
- you don't have the time to download sources from Internet
- the compile options chosen by the release team are satisfactory.

ports are preferable if :
- you want to have the (almost) very latest versions of your favorite
software on your box
- you want to fine-tune the configuration of an application (e.g. : the
package mgetty+sendfax in 2.2.5-R did not support incoming ppp sessions;
for this feature, you had to use the port)

	Hope this helps

	TfH

PS : the ports tree is updated via CVS, thus you can be up to date by
using CVSUP (you still have to get the original sources via the 'NET)


> What is the logic of a particular software package ending up in the
> packages installable from sysinstall vs the ports tree?  For example, I
> noticed during the install of 2.2.7 that tcsh is no longer installable
> from sysinstall's "Packages" option, you must install it using make in
the
> ports tree.  Why is that?  Is a ports tree install preferred in the
case
> where you can do either? 
> 
> 
> 
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