Package format is a type of archive containing computer programs and additional metadata needed by package managers;Justin Angelo Cappos, Stork: Secure Package Management for VM Environments, ProQuest, 2008, p. 128; an instance of this type of archive is called a package. While the archive file format itself may be unchanged, package formats carry additional metadata, such as a manifest file or certain directory layouts. Packages may contain either source code or executable files.
Packages may be converted from one type to another with software such as Alien.
Software supply chain and security Packages are an important component in managing the security and integrity of the software supply chain. Packages containing executables and configuration can be digitally signed to establish the integrity of running software and protect against tampering.
Package formats that support code signing include .deb (Debian), .msi (Microsoft Windows), .apk (Android) and .ipa (IOS, IPadOS).
Common formats
Specialized formats FormatConsumed by AIR Adobe AIRBottleHomebrew
BSD-based formats FormatConsumed by.ipaIOS, IPadOS Ports (BSD) pkgsrc, FreeBSD, OpenBSDPKGmacOS, iOS, PlayStation 3, Solaris, SunOS, UNIX System V, Symbian, BeOS, Apple Newton
Linux-based formats FormatConsumed by AAB AndroidAPK (Alpine)Alpine LinuxAPK (Android)AndroidAppImageLinux distribution-agnosticDebDebian and its derivatives, such as Raspberry Pi OS, Kali Linux, Ubuntu, and Linux MintebuildGentoo LinuxeopkgSolusNixpkgNix, NixOS, Home ManagerPortageGentoo Linux, ChromeOSFlatpakLinux distribution-agnostic.app, .hapHarmonyOS, OpenHarmony, Oniro OS and Linux based Unity Operating SystemPISIPardus.pkg.tar.zstArch LinuxPUP and PETPuppy Linux (PUP format is deprecated since version 3.0) RPMRed Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, derivatives such as CentOS, and SUSE Linux Enterprise, openSUSESnapLinux distribution-agnostic, mainly developed for Ubuntu
Windows formats FormatConsumed byAPPX and APPXBundleWindows 8 and later, Windows PhoneWindows Installer package / MSIWindows Installer on Microsoft Windows
Generic formats Arch Linux's Pacman and Slackware use 'tar' archives with generic naming but specific internal structures.
References