[Rpm-maint] [rpm-software-management/rpm] Is there a way to merge several RPMs (Discussion #2887)

[Vít Ondruch]

> > > You are also kinda confused about RPMs and SRPMs.
> > 
> > 
> > I don't think I am. Or at least I don't know why you think so.
> 
> That's what a confused person would say...

:rofl: :man_facepalming: 🤷

> Merging RPMs and SRPMs is not something we will pursue and it doesn't make any sense. There is no point in merging SRPMs as they can only have one spec file each.
> > > If you do want to merge binary packages (not that I can think of a good reason) use meta packages instead.
> > 
> > 
> > This is not an option in this context. One way or the other, it adds one more package.
> 
> I have not yet seen an argument why the number of packages is a problem.

There was modularity, but it is not anymore. Now I am thinking what to use instead.

In the case of Ruby, the module consisted of Ruby and DB connectors. We can simplify this into having `ruby` and `rubygem-pg` SRPMs, which in it full fledge state builds into gazillion RPMs subpackages, and call it "default Ruby".

Now I am considering options how to deliver some alternative version. One of the options is lump everything together and deliver it as a single RPM (instead of all the subpackages which "default ruby" consists of). Of course I could ignore everything what is already available and start from scratch. The other option is to try gather various bits and pieces and try to reuse them.

> > > Merging Spec files is a different thing completely. That is probably something to look into - especially if they can be created automatically from gems or similar language specific package formats.
> > 
> > 
> > This is what I thought would be the hard part 😆 Maybe mainly because I don't see a merit in merging spec files like just plain concatenating and obtaining the same result. It would probably be interesting, if I can select some sections, while probably modify the associated `%files` section.
> 
> This is the only thing here that is actually worth considering here. It would kinda fit into both the Dynamic Spec and the Handsfree Packaging initiatives. Basically dropping multiple gems into a single distgit package and assemble the merged spec file automatically. There are probably still a few pieces missing but we already made big steps into making this possible.

Nice. Still to me, merging RPMs sounds easier then merging .spec files. To me, merging RPMs happens every time two RPMs are installed. Of course I ignore metadata. But I have never heard of merging .spec files.

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