installationstructure

Installation structure is the layout of a software product’s files after it is installed. It defines where components reside, how they are organized into directories, and how the installation process places, links, and records those files. A well-designed installation structure supports predictable upgrades, clean uninstalls, isolation of components, and easier maintenance across different environments.

Typical elements of an installation structure include: a prefix or root directory that serves as the base path for all files; executables placed in a bin directory; libraries in a lib directory (often with platform-specific subdirectories); include headers in an include directory for developers; configuration files in etc or conf; data and runtime state in share, var/lib, and var/log; documentation in doc or docs; and language- or platform-specific resources in appropriate subdirectories. On Windows, installations commonly use Program Files for binaries, with configuration and data stored under AppData or ProgramData. Metadata about the installation, such as package manifests, version numbers, dependencies, and post-install scripts, is managed by the packaging system.

Packaging and deployment tools enforce the installation structure, ensuring correct file permissions, ownership, and integrity checks. They also support features such as optional components, per-user versus per-system installation, and multi-architecture layouts. Variations exist across ecosystems: Unix-like systems often follow the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard with /usr and /var, while Windows relies on program folders and registry entries for some metadata.

The installation structure influences maintenance tasks such as updates, rollbacks, and uninstallation, and it affects portability, as relocatable or prefix-relative installations can be moved or replicated across systems with minimal reconfiguration.

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