Zero Install

Zero Install is a means of distributing and packaging software for multiple operating systems (Unix-like including Linux and macOS, Windows).

Zero Install
Zero Install ready to run a downloaded program
Developer(s)Thomas Leonard
Stable release
2.17[1] / May 4, 2020 (2020-05-04)
Repository
Written inOCaml
Operating systemLinux, Unix, macOS, Windows
TypePackage manager
LicenseLGPLv2.1
Website0install.net

Design

Rather than the normal method of downloading a software package, extracting it, and installing it before it can be used (with the accompanying use of destructive updates and privilege escalation), packages distributed using Zero Install need only be run. The first time software is accessed, it is downloaded from the Internet and cached; subsequently, software is accessed from the cache. Inside the cache, each application unpacks to its own directory, as in Application Directory systems.

The system is intended to be used alongside a distribution's native package manager.

Two advantages of Zero Install over more popular packaging systems are that it is cross-platform and no root password is needed to install software; packages can be installed in system locations writable by that user instead of requiring administrator access. Thus, package installation affects only the user installing it, which makes it possible for all users to be able to install and run new software.

Moreover, the EBox sandbox can be used on top of Zero Install to securely install software and to run them in a restricted environment.[2]

Among the disadvantages of 0install is the fact that applications often need a rewrite for this packager, e.g. no absolute paths may be in use among other requirements. The quality of 0install repo content varies and may contain unmaintained software.

See also

References
  1. https://github.com/0install/0install/releases
  2. https://docs.0install.net/tools/ebox/
  • Official website
  • Thomas Leonard (2007-01-16). "Decentralised Installation Systems". OSNews.com.
  • "pkgsrc and the concepts of package management 1997-2007 (part 2) - The Zero Install system". The NetBSD Project.
  • Bruce Byfield (2007-02-15). "Zero Install: An executable critique of native package systems". linux.com.
  • "Neue Zero Install-Implementation". pro-linux.de. 2005-06-24.
  • "Zero Install: The Future of Linux on the Desktop?". Slashdot. 2004-04-03.
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