0install

Why

0install is used as cross-platform dependency resolver for not having to package the projects' releases for multiple package managers. This allows:

• modular, flexible development (single source principle).
• using the same toolchain for developing all kinds of projects (not only code)
• on all operating systems.
• version control.
• distributing, depending on modules in any revision and not only a certain release. (Releasing/tagging revisions is optional for development but still useful for indicating stable versions.)
• automatic backup of projects.
• easy testing of modules locally without breaking the system due to multiple versions of a package.
• developer interaction (world wide team work) without releasing because Git is the base system and 0install just used for releases.
• easily fetching, inspecting the sources of a project in a certain version. (e.g. to debug or further develop / fork a local version, this can be rebased later on)
• preventing dependency mess.
• linear project history (not mandatory but possible) and all other Git powers.

How

Install a module / package:

   0install add <repository.uri>/<module>.xml

Depend on a module by using the 0install XML file URI of the corresponding module repository.