PBI Experiment Number One: Recreating the Creator

[Ireclan]

Well, I decided that my first PBI attempt will be trying to understand how the PBI creator itself was created in PBI format. I've taken a look at the files in its directory ('/usr/Programs/PBICreator2.2.1'), and I'm not sure what files PBI Creator needs to run. I'm trying to make this a step-by-step process, and so as I said in my other thread the first step ought to be getting all files necessary for the program to run. But what ARE these files? How does one tell? This is the first question I have. Others may follow, but this is the first.

[TerryP]

I havn't followed PBC since the early 3.0 releases. Last I did I think it was a collection of BourneShell script and C++/QT3 Code.

Generally when I want to know what kind of file some thing is, I use the file(1) program and a text editor.


If you are interested or are a Programmer, you can find the sources used to create the program (as well as the iner workings of PBI's) in PC-BSD's SVN.

[Ireclan]

So what you're basically saying is that you have no idea what files are necessary to ensure a functioning PBI Creator, and that to find out, I'd have to look at PC-BSD's source?

[TerryP]

Not exactly but close enough. I think PBC (PBI Creator) uses a few things from else where in the source tree in order to create the PBI files. Theres a shell script for doing the autopopulate libs. But beyond that I don't remember.


Summery:

0.) I don't know what PBC is like in its current state.

1.) file and a text editor is good for finding out what files are

2.) For binary programs you find, look in the sources.

3.) Nag the developer or play code forensic == best way to learn about PBC & Friends :/

[Ireclan]

Did I choose a bad package to get started with? Because this seems to be an awful lot of work, just to create a PBI. Do I have to do this with EVERY PBI? I thought there was just a simple way to tell what files are needed by a program, and I was just missing it.

[TerryP]

If you have AIM, M$N, GTalk, or care to bug me on IRC. I'd be glad to pick apart a PBI with you and see if theres any thing I can show you.

[Ireclan]

Thank you for the collaborative offer, TerryP. I will remember it, though your assistance will likely not be necessary until the release of PC-BSD 1.4 (which will hopefully fair better on my system than 1.3).