libsolv

libsolv is a free and open-source dependency resolution library. It is primarily used in package management systems to resolve dependencies between software packages. The library is written in C and is designed to be efficient and performant, capable of handling large numbers of packages and complex dependency graphs.

The core functionality of libsolv lies in its ability to process package metadata, identify all required dependencies, and find a consistent set of packages that satisfy these requirements. It implements sophisticated algorithms for solving satisfiability problems, which are common in dependency resolution. This allows it to handle various scenarios, including conflicts between packages, optional dependencies, and version constraints.

libsolv is a key component of several Linux distributions, most notably SUSE Linux Enterprise, openSUSE, and Fedora. It is integrated into their respective package managers, such as zypper and dnf, to ensure that software installations and updates are performed correctly without introducing dependency issues. The library's modular design also allows it to be adapted for use in other software management contexts beyond traditional Linux distributions. Its development emphasizes correctness and speed, making it a reliable choice for managing complex software ecosystems.