depend(4)             UNIX System V(Essential Utilities)              depend(4)


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
                    specifications, both arch and version, are completely
                    optional but each must begin on a new line that begins with
                    white space.  If no version set is specified, any version
                    of the indicated package will match.  A version preceded by
                    a tilde (~) indicates that any compatible version will be a
                    match.  [See compver(4).]


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depend(4)             UNIX System V(Essential Utilities)              depend(4)


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
                        3.0
            P sysadm System Administration Utilities
            P terminf Terminal Information Utilities
            P usrenv User Environment Utilities
            P bnu Basic Networking Utilities
            P x25 X.25 Network Interface
                        1.1
                        1.2
            P windowing Layers Windowing Utilities
                        (3B2)1.0
            R cms 3B2 Call Management System

SEE ALSO
      compver(4)





























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