Week 14, Blog 10, CIT 173, Curtis Klein

Week 14, Blog 10

A software repository is simply a place software is stored for safekeeping, where it may be retrieved and reinstalled on a computer. A Linux software repository is one the stores Linux programs. Most Linux software companies have many widely scattered depositories, which may be fee based or free. They may be devoted to particular programs, or for operating systems, the intent is to safeguard the software.

There are 2 main types of Linux software repositories; management systems or development systems. The management systems are used to store and integrate already developed code for public use. The development systems are used more for experimental code that is still under development, and not ready for public use.

These repositories make it easy to re-install corrupted programs, or to install new programs, for users worldwide, over the internet. They also provide high security for everyone using and developing the programs.

Ubuntu software repositories are divided into 4 main types, based on the level of support offered. They are:

(Quoted from https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Ubuntu )
1. Main - Officially supported software.
2. Restricted - Supported software that is not available under a completely free license.
3. Universe - Community maintained software, i.e. not officially supported software.
4. Multiverse - Software that is not free.


SOURCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_repository
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Ubuntu
http://fedora-commons.org/
http://www.eprints.org/software/
http://rubric.edu.au/repositories/choosing_a_repository.htm