I would like to build the newest port of Firefox (version 4.0.1,1). I currently have the package version installed (3.6.13). How well does the packages/port system handle mixing ports and packages? Will the dependencies be handled correctly?
For example: Firefox 4.0.1 requires nspr-4.8.7 whereas the packaged version is nspr-4.8.6. A whole slew of things (mostly from the gnome2-lite meta-package depend on nspr). If I install the newer version from ports will I completely wreck things?
I guess this begs a larger question: Can I mix packages and ports? Or do I have to pick one and stay with it? If I do decide to build a mixed system, will it be stable? Will there be appropriate dependency checking and resolution?
Best Answer
You can use ports and packages simultaneously, both use the same package database in
/var/db/pkg
.Actually, packages are generated by the ports system. For example,
make package
will install a port and generate the binary package for it. Also you can create a package from the currently installed port with thepkg_create -b
command.