Re: [Bug-tar] Advice/Extensions for use of gnu tar in installer

[Sergey Poznyakoff]

Hi Ken,

> 1) It is awkward to add a file to a tar archive such that it will untar to a
> different location

Have you considered using -C along with -T (--files-from) option? The
CVS version of tar allows to specify almost any command option in -T
list, much like in command line. This seems to be appropriate for your case.

> 2) Extracting a tar for installation doesn't allow for too sophisticated of
> an uninstaller (uninstall looks like rm -rf).  I would like to instead
> generate a log of each file installed such that I can later use this log for
> uninstall)

Looks like an advanced version of -v option, doesn't it? What should
this log contain?
 
> 3) tar's options for dealing with replacing existing files are simplistic.
> I really want tar to move the existing file out of the way (perhaps via a
> re-name)

This is already possible using --backup option.

> then to log this occurrence such that the uninstaller may reverse
> it.

Well, if you use --backup, you may then reverse its effect using
a simple script. Am I missing something?

> Oh, by the way, we could use all the help we can get completing the CD for
> the third book if anyone would like to participate!

Sure, that is very interesting. Is an online copy available somewhere?

Regards,
Sergey