Packaging software

There are different ways to distribute an application. It is possible to directly send the source code to users, who will then have to build it themselves. It is also possible to give out pre-compiled binaries that the users will download, copy to the right place and use. Those methods are not very convenient.

The best way to distribute an application is to have it packaged. This way, the package manager handles installation, so everything is transparent to the user (no additional work required), and it can also handle updates.

An application can be made into different kinds of packages:

• Operating system package, like Debian/Ubuntu .deb package

• Universal package, for distribution across the whole Linux ecosystem, like snaps

• OCI images, to be used in container format by a container runtime (e.g. cloud environments)

Packaging type	Example format/tools	Target
OS package	.deb	OS integration
Universal package	.snap	Universal Linux distribution
OCI image	Docker	Cloud deployment

Making a Debian/Ubuntu package

There are two cases in which you may want to make a Debian package:

Direct integration into the Debian and Ubuntu operating systems

This is a complex process that requires the involvement of Debian Developers or Ubuntu core developers. Usually, it is not the upstream developer who makes a package for Debian/Ubuntu directly, unless they are a Debian/Ubuntu developer themselves.

Distributing the Debian package using your own channels

This can be a Personal Package Archive (PPA) or a direct download. The PPA is preferred as users would be able to add your PPA to their package management system and receive automatic updates.

Packaging

Create a new package from the Ubuntu project documentation explains the process. There are many ways of creating a Debian/Ubuntu package; the Debian documentation, as well as external tutorials and how-tos, are available, each presenting different tools and methods.

Building and distributing with a PPA

To make a PPA and build your package inside, follow Build packages in a PPA.

Then, your users will be able to add your PPA to install your software:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:<user>/<ppa_name>
sudo apt update
sudo apt install <your-software>

Crafting a Snap package

For a tutorial on crafting a fully-functional snap of a Python application, see Craft a snap. The Snapcraft documentation also includes information about every part of the crafting process.

For more generic information about snap packages, from a user perspective, see the Snap documentation.

Containerizing

Docker is one of the most commonly used container runtimes, and their documentation includes resources on containerization:

• Docker workshop: containerize an application

• Docker concepts: building images

Canonical, the creator of Ubuntu, also has a tool to create production-grade container images: Rockcraft. Rockcraft allows to make efficient container images, called rocks, which are based on Ubuntu. This has the benefits of Ubuntu support, while being smaller in footprint than regular images.

For guidance on how to use Rockcraft, see Rockcraft tutorial.