PackBacker

PackBacker is a light tool to download and install 3rd party libraries.
You can use it to simplify and automate your project setup, e.g. to download internal dependencies for your project.

Concept

Job script with one instruction per line:

$ cat jobs/example.bb
cxxtest: dest_dir=~;
eigen3: dest_dir=~;

Run installation job:

$ python3 packbacker.py jobs/example.pb

Examples of use

Have a look in the tools folder and install_dependencies.sh:

• https://github.com/cpieloth/CppMath/
• https://bitbucket.org/labp/na-online_ow-toolbox/

Installation & Usage

• Clone repository.

$ git clone https://github.com/cpieloth/PackBacker.git PackBacker

• Create a new branch for your installation jobs (optional).

$ cd PackBacker
$ git checkout -b jobs

• Create an installation job.

$ cp jobs/example.bb jobs/myjob.bb
$ vi jobs/myjob.bb

• Commit your setup (optional).
• Run your installation job

$ python3 packbacker.py jobs/myjob.pb

Extend PackBacker with your own installer

Let's implement an installer for the dependency mydep:

1. Place the Python file mydep.py in: PackBacker/packbacker/installers/
2. The file must contain a class, which implements/extends packbacker.installer.Installer, e.g.:

from packbacker.installer import Installer
class MyDep(Installer)

3. Give the installer a name and label, e.g.:

class MyDep(Installer):
    def __init__(self):
        Installer.__init__(self, 'mydep', 'My Dependency')

4. Implement at least these methods:

def _install(self)
@classmethod
def instance(cls, params)
@classmethod
def prototype(cls)

5. Now, you can use your installer by using the specified name mydep in your job file:

mydep: arg1=value, ...;

Coding Style

• https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008
• https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0257
• http://editorconfig.org
• See .editorconfig in project root