Paketarkiv

Paketarkiv, or package archive, is a repository that stores packaged software and related metadata used by package management systems to distribute and install software on computers. A paketarkiv contains binary packages, libraries and sometimes source packages, together with metadata that describes version, dependencies, architecture and installation scripts. The archive is organized to allow package managers to locate and download the appropriate packages for a given system.

Package archives typically provide index files and metadata, such as a Packages/Release file or a repodata directory, which include checksums and cryptographic signatures. Repositories are maintained by package maintainers who ensure packages are built for target architectures, resolve dependencies, and test updates. Clients access the archive over protocols like HTTP or HTTPS to retrieve index data and the actual package files.

Formats and examples: Debian-based systems use .deb packages with APT; Red Hat-based systems use .rpm packages with YUM/DDNF; Arch Linux uses .pkg.tar.zst with pacman; Alpine Linux uses .apk. While these are common, many ecosystems maintain their own archive structures and signing practices.

Security and trust: Paketarkiv files are typically signed to verify identity and integrity. Public keys are distributed through trusted channels, and repositories may separate into components or distributions (for example stable vs. testing) to manage risk and updates.

In usage, the pak et arkiv concept underpins how modern operating systems deliver software, manage dependencies, and maintain reproducible and verifiable installations across many machines.