Assembling a Relative File Package
- Updated2024-08-26
- 2 minute(s) read
Assemble a relative file package by creating a root directory that contains subdirectories, source files, and configuration files.
For detailed explanation and examples of the control file you include in a package, refer to the Control File Attributes topic:
Before you build a relative file package, assemble all appropriate source files and subdirectories into a single root directory.
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Create a root directory to hold all components of the relative file package.
For example: C:\temp\MyRelativeFilePkg
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Inside the root directory, create a control
subdirectory.
For example: C:\temp\MyRelativeFilePkg\control
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Inside the control subdirectory, create a control
file.
- Using a text editor, create a new document and name it control.
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Enter all control file attributes and values needed for your package.
See Control File Attributes topic for more information about attributes for your control file.
- Enter relative-file for the XB-Plugin attribute to indicate that the package is a relative file package.
- Save the file and omit the file extension.
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Inside the root directory, create a data
subdirectory.
For example: C:\temp\MyRelativeFilePkg\data.Package Manager installs any files inside the data subdirectory to the installation path. The default installation path is: C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI Package Manager\Installed
Use the --install-root=<DIRECTORY> option with install and uninstall commands to specify a non-default installation path.
Note Package Manager does not display installed and available relative file packages. Use the command line interface to access Package Manager with relative file packages. Refer to the Accessing the Command Line Interface for Package Manager topic for more information. - (Optional) Inside the data subdirectory, create one or more subdirectories.
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Inside the root directory, create a Debian binary file. This file declares conformity
to the Debian standard. For more information, visit debian.org.
- Using a text editor, create a new document and name it debian-binary.
- Enter 2.0 .
- Save the file and omit the file extension.
Related Information
- Package Components
A package is comprised of a root directory containing subdirectories, payload files, and configuration files that define the result of the package's installation on the target system.
- Building a Package Using the Command Line Interface
Use the command line interface to build a package with your source files.
- Control File Attributes
A control file is a text file without an extension that contains metadata describing properties and relationships of the package, such as its name, version, type, and dependencies. Both File packages and WinInst packages require a control file. Package Manager generates the package according to the metadata in the control file.
- Accessing the Command Line Interface for Package Manager
Modify the execution of Package Manager processes by using the NI Package Manager command line interface nipkg.exe or the NI Package Manager GUI command-line NIPackageManager.exe.