depend(4)                                                         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 dependency with one software
     package. The format of each entry 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 or ~version
             Specifies a particular package instance to which the depen-
             dency applies. The instance is identified by the package ver-
             sion and where necessary by the package architecture (in
             parentheses). Each instance specification must begin on a new
             line that begins with a blank or tab. A null version set
             equates to any version of the indicated package.








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depend(4)                                                         depend(4)

     If the version specification in the depend file of a dependent package
     is preceded by a tilde (~), the compver(4) file is examined as well.
     That means that the compver file must be maintained in the package
     whose version is changing, and the new version must be compatible with
     the earlier version.

EXAMPLE
     Here is an example of the relationship between the depend file and the
     compver file:

     Package A, compver file:

          1.0
          2.0
          3.0

     This means that VERSION in pkginfo(4) may be followed by 1.0, 2.0 or
     3.0. These versions are compatible.

     Package B, depend file:

          P lp Line Printer Spooling Utilities
            ~1.0

     In this case package A's compver file will be examined when package
     B's dependencies are evaluated.

SEE ALSO
     compver(4), pkginfo(4).

























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