builddep

Builddep, short for build dependency, refers to a package or component that is required to build a software project from source. Build dependencies are distinct from runtime dependencies in that they are typically not needed once the software is installed and used, but are necessary during the compilation and packaging process. Common examples include compilers, build tools, libraries with development headers, and code generators.

In different packaging ecosystems, build-time requirements are declared in metadata and identified by different labels. Debian and Ubuntu use Build-Depends to list packages required for building a source package. Fedora and other RPM-based systems use BuildRequires. Arch Linux uses makedepends in a PKGBUILD to indicate packages needed to build the software. Build tools then install these requirements so the source can be compiled and packaged.

Installing build dependencies also varies by distribution. Debian-based systems provide apt-get build-dep <package> to fetch the necessary Build-Depends for a given package. Fedora offers dnf builddep <package>. Arch users typically rely on the build toolchain and makedepends being installed via makepkg -s, which automatically installs the listed build requirements when building a PKGBUILD. In all cases, creating a clean build environment—such as a container, chroot, or virtual machine—helps ensure reproducibility.

Practical considerations include the fact that build dependencies may come from multiple sources, may be optional for certain configurations, and can require specific versions or development headers. Build systems or continuous integration pipelines often provide isolation and reproducibility features to manage these dependencies effectively.

See also: Build system, Build-Depends, BuildRequires, makedepends, dependency management.