After almost 5 years since the last release, the GNU Stow 2.4 package management system has been introduced, which uses symbolic links to separate package contents and related data into distinct directories. The Stow code is written in Perl and is distributed under the GPLv3 license.
Stow uses a simple and unconventional approach to package placement: all components related to a program are installed using standard utilities in a separate subdirectory under /usr/local/stow (e.g., /usr/local/stow/emacs). Stow's task is to set up symbolic links in the hierarchy of system directories /usr/local and to ensure their integrity.
When a package is removed, all associated symbolic links are deleted. Within the /usr/local/stow directory, the files of installed programs always remain unchanged; Stow operates solely with symbolic links. In addition to managing system packages, it provides the ability to manage user programs and configuration files (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.) in the user's home directory.
In the new release:
- Support for the '--dotfiles' option has been ensured, both with directories and in conjunction with the '--compat' option.
- The logic for package removal (unstowing) has been improved, and false warning messages have been eliminated.
- The debug output when using the '-v' ('--verbose') option has been enhanced.
- The codebase has been cleaned up and internal changes have been made that are not noticeable to the user.
- The release process has been improved, and changes have been made to simplify maintenance.
Source: opennet.ru
