[Koha-devel] Debian Packaging

[MJ Ray]

Alex King <alex at king.net.nz> wrote:
> MJ Ray wrote:
> > The install script already supports prefix, etcdir and auto-install,
> > so I doubt much hacking is required.  (I added prefix and etcdir some 
> > time ago and I think Paul added the auto-install hooks during 2.2.)
> I see "my $etcdir = $ENV{etcdir}||'/etc';" in installer.pl, but nothing 
> about prefix?

Prefix is only used in Install.pm for generating defaults and would be 
overridden by autoinstall, if we go that way.

> These set the install locations?

Yes.

> They get hard coded into just /etc/koha.conf and /etc/koha-httpd.conf?

AFAICR, yes.

> Is it possible to use /etc and /usr and still install files actually 
> under debian/koha (debian/tmp is depreciated)?

Good catch.  Yes, one can rewrite the files afterwards if wanted.

It may be better for debian/rules to ignore the installer, TBH,
which would help with the CPANisation.  I'm not sure it's still worth 
the effort.

> Talking with Chris he says installer.pl does everything including 
> database initialisation.  I see looking at it that it tries to find the 
> hostname (perhaps to customise koha-httpd.conf?)

Yes, for koha-httpd.conf I think.

> These functions need to be split in two - actually moving files into 
> place to be done during packaging, and /etc and database initialisation 
> during install.

OK.  I think there's a third step of entering the librarian's defaults, 
which could be done mostly after install from the web interface.  I 
think we only ask a few librarian questions in the installer (MARC 
starter, branch and printer) and they'd be better left until later.

> I see the comment "...does not support a completely automated setup"  I 
> would like to be able to ask most/all of the installer questions through 
> debconf or go with defaults.

I'm not sure that comment is any longer relevant.  If it is, maybe it's 
time to make it obsoete!

> I'm not experienced enough with library/koha systems to have a really 
> good feel for how we should cater for package users and customising 
> their installs.  My gut feeling is that most of the package users will 
> be inexperienced like I am and wanting a "default" install suitable for 
> a small library and not wanting too many questions about setup.  Those 
> questions maybe could be asked with a lower debconf priority.
>
> OTOH library people might want to have control over those settings and 
> not have the debian experience to change the debconf priority.

I think that's more a reason for including a note on how to change the 
debconf question level in our installation instructions.

> [...] I'm available roughly 5pm - 12pm NZDT most days, or 
> pretty much any time by arrangement.  Let me know when would suit you.

I think 0730-0930 UTC (=~ 8.30-10.30pm NZDT?) would be best for me.  
I'll try to hop on over the next few days at that time.

Thanks,
-- 
MJ Ray - see/vidu http://mjr.towers.org.uk/email.html
Somerset, England. Work/Laborejo: http://www.ttllp.co.uk/
IRC/Jabber/SIP: on request/peteble