[repo-coord] Packaging Process - PLEASE READ

[Rudolf Kastl]

Hello.

I have thought a bit about it and i think there should be a general
process when building new packages.I have not a complete process chain
(can do that professionally in tools like aris if you are really
interested). I will go and put that on my page if its complete.
I am working to extend this document so i would be happy about your
ideas. I think we have to get to a generalize some things without beeing
too limiting. with coordination of so many packagers like currently i
think its not possible to have clean interfaces between the repos
without a few general rules. 



A. The Source
1. we need to specify checks for the source code. Means checking if the
source is alright or no in terms of malicously changed.
Taking already tested source of other distros makes sense but its still
adviseable to verify again.
(rudolf kastl/newrpms)

2. before you even touch the source check if its already packaged. dont
override already existing packages... that happened way to often
already.
(rudolf kastl/newrpms)


B. The Spec
1. perl and sed should be avoided, clean patches are preferred, unless
really necassery. 
(rudolf kastl/newrpms)

2. buildmacros should all be defined on top of the spec. everything else
is considered broken. there can be exclusions when its not possible to
act otherwise in a special case. 
(rudolf kastl/newrpms)

3. other major distros should be checked for patches that might give
crucial fixes. not all send everything upstream.
(rudolf kastl/newrpms)




C. The Buildprocess
1. building should always happen in a non root environment (thats an
understatement). Even if its chrooted and works fine, theres no way one
could verify if they also build as non root.
(rudolf kastl/newrpms)

2. other major distros should be checked for patches that might give
crucial fixes. not all send everything upstream.
(rudolf kastl/newrpms)

3. it has to be verified that the rpm installs clean and runs fine
before its released. That includes basic functionality checking.
(rudolf kastl/newrpms)