How to make a minor revision to an existing RPM.

Description

You want to make a minor change to an existing e-smith interface RPM? Here's how ...

Instructions:

1. Configure your personal RPM environment (see "how to build an e-smith interface RPM")

2. Create a pristine copy of the existing source code (if you don't already have one).

        cd $HOME/rpms
        rpm -bp SPECS/e-smith-pkg.spec
        mv BUILD/e-smith-pkg-0.3 BUILD/e-smith-pkg-0.3-3
   
   

3. Create a copy of the existing source code - this is the one which you will change.

        cd $HOME/rpms
        rpm -bp SPECS/e-smith-pkg.spec
        mv BUILD/e-smith-pkg-0.3 BUILD/e-smith-pkg-0.3-4
   

4. Edit the RPM spec file, and increment the revision number (do it now, you might forget later): DE>

        vi SPECS/e-smith-pkg.spec
        # Change "#define release 3" to "#define release 4"
   
   

5. Make the changes that you need to make to the source code of the package:

        pushd BUILD/e-smith-pkg-0.3-4
        vi root/... root/....... root/...... createlinks
        popd
   

6. Make a patch file containing your changes:

        diff -ruN BUILD/e-smith-pkg-0.3-{3,4} > \
          SOURCES/e-smith-pkgs.fixes.20000815001
   

7. Edit the spec file of the package to apply your new patch:

        vi SPECS/e-smith-pkg.spec
        # Add "PatchN: e-smith-pkgs.fixes.20000815001" to the header
        # Add "%patchN -p1" to the %prep section
        #  (where N is the next small integer)
   

8. Build new binary and source RPMS:

        rpm -ba SPECS/e-smith-pkg.spec
   

9. Post your RPM(s) to your ftp site, and tell the world

10. Start testing your RPMs before your mailbox fills up :-)

Comments

Note that this development can be done on an e-smith server with no additional software. With a little searching you'll find most of the packages that you want to install in binary RPM form - so there's no need for make, no need for compilers, libraries etc.

This section contains links to the various how-to documents that will assist developers with their work on the e-smith server and gateway.

e-smith how-tos: