MAKEKIT(1) MAKEKIT(1)
NAME
makekit - split files up into shell archive packages
SYNOPSIS
makekit [ -1 ] [ -e ] [ -x ] [ -h# ] [ -iname ] [ -k# ] [
-m ] [ -nname ] [ -oname ] [ -p ] [ -s#[k] ] [ -ttext ] [
file... ]
DESCRIPTION
Makekit reads a list of files and directories, determines
their sizes, and parcels them up into a series of shell
archives such that all the archives are of reasonable
size. It then invokes cshar(1l) to actually create the
archives.
By default, no archive will be larger than about 50,000
bytes; this may be changed by using the ``-s'' option. If
the number given with the ``-s'' option ends with the let-
ter ``k'' then the size is multiplied by 1024, otherwise
it is taken to be the desired maximum size, in bytes.
Each archive will have a name that looks like Partnn,
where ``nn'' represents the two-digit sequence number
(with leading zero if needed). The leader part of the
archive name may be changed with the ``-n'' option. The
``-n'' is also useful when write permission to the direc-
tory being archive is denied; e.g., ``-n/tmp/KERNEL.''
Makekit reads its list of files on the command line, or
standard input if none are given. It is also possible to
specify an input filename with the ``-i'' option. The
input should contain a list of files, one to a line, to
separate. In addition, if each input line looks like
this:
filename whitespace optional-digits whitespace text
then makekit will ignore the spaces and digits, but remem-
ber the text associated with each file, and output it with
the filename when generating the ``shipping manifest.''
Further, the ``-h'' option may be given to have the pro-
gram skip the indicated number of lines in the input; this
option is provided so that makekit can more easily re-
parse the manifests it has generated.
The generated manifest will be sent to the standard out-
put. An alternate output file may be given by using the
``-o'' option; if the output file exists, makekit will try
to rename it with an extension of .BAK. If the ``-o''
option is used, makekit will add that name to the list of
files to be archived; the ``-e'' option may be given to
exclude the manifest from the list.
The ``-m'' option is the same as giving the options,
``-iMANIFEST -oMANIFEST -h2.'' This is a common way to
regenerate a set of archives after the first use of
makekit in a directory.
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MAKEKIT(1) MAKEKIT(1)
If a large number of kits has to be generated, you may
need to give the ``-k'' option to increase the maximum
number of kits to be generated.
After partitioning the files and directories, makekit
calls cshar with the proper options to generate archives
in a series. Each resultant archive will, when executed,
check to see if all the parts are present. If the ``-1''
option is used, then makekit will not instruct cshar to
generate the checks (by not passing on the ``-n'' and
``-e'' options). By using the ``-t'' option, you can
specify a line of starting instructions to display to the
recipient when all pieces have been unpacked. This is
useful when resending part of a series that has probably
already been unpacked by the recipient. See cshar for
more information on multi-part archives. If the ``-x''
option is used, cshar is not called, but the manifest is
still created.
Makekit normally reorders its input so that the archives
are as ``dense'' as possible, with the exception that
directories are given priority over files, and a file
named README is the first of all. The manifest is also
sorted in alphabetical order; this makes it easy to locate
``missing'' files when the distribution is a large one.
The ``-p'' option may be used to override both sortings,
however, and preserve the original order of the input list
in generating both the manifest, and the shell archives.
NOTES
Makekit tries to partition the files so that all directo-
ries are in the first archive. This usually means the
first archive must be the first one to be unpacked.
Saying ``the `-k' option is to help prevent runaway pack-
aging'' is probably post hoc propter hoc reasoning.
SEE ALSO
findsrc(1l), cshar(1l)
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