RPM spec File Contents

These are the basic sections of a spec file:

• Basic Sections

1. preamble - basic metadata
2.  %prep - commands to prepare the package for building
3.  %build - commands to build the package
4.  %install - commands to install the built files
5.  %check - commands to check/test the built files (optional, often not included)
6.  %clean - commands to clean up the disk space
7.  %files - list of files to be included in the pacakge
8.  %changelog - record of the package's change-history

• Scriptlets
  •  %pre -- run before installation
  •  %post -- run after installation
  •  %preun -- run before uninstallation
  •  %postun -- run after uninstallation
    • Note that during upgrade, the installation of the new package is considered to happen before the removal of the old package.
• Macros
  •  %{_tmppath}
  •  %{buildroot}
  •  %{_bindir}
  •  %{_datadir}
  •  %{_mandir}
  •  %{_smp_flags}
  •  %setup
  •  %configure
  •  %makeinstall