NAME

depend - software dependencies files

DESCRIPTION

depend is an ASCII file used to specify information concerning software dependencies for a particular package. The file is created by a software developer.

Each entry in the depend file describes a single software package. The instance of the package is described after the entry line by giving the package architecture and/or version. The format of each entry and subsequent instance definition is:

     type pkg name
          (arch)version
          (arch)version
          ...
The fields are:

type Defines the dependency type. Must be one of the following characters:

P Indicates a prerequisite for installation, for example, the referenced package or versions must be installed.

I Implies that the existence of the indicated package or version is incompatible.

R Indicates a reverse dependency. Instead of defining the package's own dependencies, this designates that another package depends on this one. This type should be used only when an old package does not have a depend file but it relies on the newer package nonetheless. Therefore, the present package should not be removed if the designated old package is still on the system since, if it is removed, the old package will no longer work.

pkg           Indicates the package abbreviation.

name          Specifies the full package name.

(arch)version Specifies  a  particular   instance   of   the
              software.   A version name cannot begin with a
              left  parenthesis.   The  instance  specifica-
              tions,  both  arch and version, are completely
              optional but must each begin  on  a  new  line
              that  begins with white space.  A null version
              set equates to any version  of  the  indicated
              package.

EXAMPLE

Here is a sample depend file:
     I msvr 3B2 Messaging Server
     P ctc Cartridge Tape Utilities
     P dfm Directory and File Management Utilities
     P ed Editing Utilities
     P ipc Inter-Process Communication Utilities
     P lp Line Printer Spooling Utilities
     P shell Shell Programming Utilities
     P sys System Header Files
               Release 3.0
     P sysadm System Administration Utilities
     P term Terminal Filters Utilities
     P terminfo Terminal Information Utilities
     P usrenv User Environment Utilities
     P uucp Basic Networking Utilities
     P x25 X.25 Network Interface
     P windowing AT&T Windowing Utilities
               (3B2)Version 1
     R cms 3B2 Call Management System