Almost five years after its last release, GNU Stow 2.4 is now available. Stow uses symbolic links to separate package contents and associated data into separate directories. Stow is written in Perl and licensed under the GPLv3.
Stow uses a simple approach to package placement, unlike traditional package managers: all components related to the program are installed by regular means in a separate subdirectory in the /usr/local/stow directory (for example, /usr/local/stow/emacs). Stow's task in this case is reduced to arranging symbolic links in the /usr/local system directory hierarchy and monitoring their integrity.
When a package is removed, all associated symbolic links are removed. Files of installed programs always remain unchanged within the /usr/local/stow directory; Stow only manages symbolic links. In addition to managing system packages, it provides the ability to manage programs and configuration files (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.) in the user's home directory.
In the new release:
- The "--dotfiles" option can now be used with directories, and in combination with the "--compat" option.
- Improved package removal logic (unstowing) and removed false warning messages.
- Improved debug output when using the "-v" ("--verbose") option.
- The code base was cleaned and internal changes were made that are not visible to the user.
- The release generation process has been improved and changes have been made to simplify maintenance.
Source: opennet.ru
