Distribution: what is it? Examples of OS and program distributions. Creating a program installation distribution
What they are, what they can be called and what they can’t, and where this concept came from.
What is it?
The concept of “distribution” entered our lives relatively recently, around the time of the growing popularity of the free Linux family. System distributions at that time were mainly distributed on CD blanks, since the speed of Internet access did not allow downloading ISO images from the Internet. Over time, the name spread to other products. Now you can hear the word “distribution” almost everywhere. What is it? This is exactly what we will try to understand in this material.
The beginning of the use of the word "distribution"
This concept came to us from among users and developers of free operating systems. They called a distribution a compiled image containing the kernel, main programs, a shell for the working environment, and in general everything that was needed to install a working system. Now this concept is used to refer to any software product recorded on disk or somewhere else.
In general, this term implies the presence of a minimum set of programs to ensure the operation of the operating system on initial stages. This definition of the concept does not fit well with phrases such as “game distribution”. What kind of distribution is this if it doesn't have one as such? IN in this case it's simple computer game on physical media or compiled for downloading over the Internet and installation without a disk. This is especially true now, when this method is becoming increasingly popular. It has gotten to the point that sometimes, when assembling a new computer, there is simply no disk drive in it.
With the development of the Internet, ISO images began to be called distributions. They can be downloaded from the official website and burned to a disk or USB drive. With this bootable media you can install the operating system on any computer.
Linux distributions
Since this concept came to us from the world of free operating systems, let us first consider Linux OS distributions. There are plenty of them. They all have their own specific “tricks”. But they are similar in one thing. In all Linux distributions there is a full set of drivers and applications necessary for operation. And you don’t need to pay for any of them. This is what a real distribution means. What is it? Mainly it is Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Debian. They are all based on Debian, so they are fully compatible with each other.
Distributions of such “Linux-like” systems as AltLinux, ArchLinux, CentOS and Fedora cannot boast of such compatibility with computer hardware. For them you will have to download additional drivers. But they also have basic set necessary applications.
Windows distributions
Strictly speaking, installation disks operating room Windows systems can hardly be called distributions. After all, this concept presupposes the presence of drivers “out of the box” and a set of applications for full system functionality.
True, with the release of the “ten” the situation has changed somewhat. Now Windows distribution contains a number of drivers necessary for normal operation of the system. But you still have to download programs for the video card. The apps are bad. They can't provide normal work systems. Although Windows 10 has adopted a lot from Linux (terminal, alternative desktops), it is still far from the proud name of “distribution”.
The main advantage of Windows OS is its compatibility with all computers and devices. If desired, it can be installed on Apple computers. But I still don’t want to spoil perfect “Apple” computers with a fake from Microsoft.
MacOS distribution
Since MacOS is a “Unix-like” system, it was possible not to consider it, but without it the review would be incomplete. Like everyone else operating systems, Macos has its own distribution. What is it in this case?
It should be noted that MacOS is only produced for products Apple. And their support in the OS is implemented in the most in the best possible way. Drivers for all devices are installed without problems, and there are so many applications that it’s quite possible not to add third-party ones. As always, Apple is great. The system image from Yabloko can definitely be called a distribution kit.
If you use some specialized programs, then the MacOS distribution can be made to work on regular computers. True, it is very desirable to have a processor from Intel from Core line. It is with these processors that we observe best performance MacOS on “third party” computers.
Program distributions
Now let's talk about what cannot be called a distribution kit - about disks with software. Many are accustomed to calling the media with this or that program this way (for example, 1C distribution). This is fundamentally wrong. Mainly because there is no operating system on the disk at all.
Very often, a distribution kit is called a collection of programs for a particular system. There is a deal of truth in it. It is quite possible to call such a collection of programs and applications a distribution kit.
Some software products have their own additional distributions. For example, databases or sample sets.
Conclusion
This is how we ended up with a short “educational program” on the topic “distribution”. What is it - we finally figured it out. Now you know what types there are and what can generally be called a distribution. Of course, in our time the framework of this concept has become somewhat blurred and now this word is used to refer to everything. But thanks to our article, you now know what can rightfully be defined as a distribution.
The distribution is computer term, which is constantly encountered by users who independently install programs on their computers (from the English Distribution - distribution, distribution).
Under distribution refers to one or more files that ensure installation of a program on a computer. The distribution usually includes the actual program file (or files), brief instructions installation instructions and a special installer program that performs the installation procedure. If the program being installed is protected from unauthorized use, the distribution package may also include a file with an installation key or serial number program instance. But this refers to a certain “average” program. In practice, the composition of the distribution can vary over a very wide range.
When a program consists of one or more files and does not need to be installed, the distribution may be a self-extracting archive.
A self-extracting archive is a file with the .exe extension, which, in addition to the archive data itself, also contains an unpacking utility.
Often, to get the opportunity to work with new program supplied in this form, you only need to perform two steps:
- Copy the archive file to your hard drive.
- Click it with the mouse (once or twice, depending on the interface settings) and wait for the unpacking to complete.
Sometimes, however, you additionally need to specify the folder in which the unpacked files should be placed.
However, distribution archive may not be self-extracting. Often, program files are packaged into a “regular” archive file in one of the popular formats: .gag, .zip or .cab. This option has one (but quite significant) drawback: an archiver program that can unpack the distribution file must first be installed on the potential user’s computer.
If installation is required to work with the program, the distribution must include an executable (.exe) file, the name of which contains the word Setup (the term Setup in “programmer” English has the same meaning as the term Installation, and is often used as a synonymous with the latter).
For relatively small programs such a Setup file can be the only distribution file and contain both the actual program to be installed and the installation utility.
You probably noticed that not all of them have the appropriate name. However, it is enough advanced users are able to easily find the Setup file among other files with the .exe extension thanks to the characteristic icon. There are not very many such icons today. Only five are the most common.
Whether a Setup file has an icon of one type or another depends on the tool with which the file was created. Today, the most popular among these tools are three: InstaUShield (in various editions) from InstaUShield, Windows Installer Wise Solutions and Inno Setup (developed by Jordan Russell). Of course, the program developer has the right to use any icon for the Setup file. However, there is no particular desire for diversity in this regard among program authors.
Distribution large complex applications may contain a dozen other files, each of which plays a specific role in the installation procedure.
In such distributions, the Setup file performs only the functions of an “installer” and does not contain the actual application files.
Combined distribution options are often used, when the application is distributed as one archive file, inside which an installation set of several files is “hidden” (including the Setup file).
Currently, when creating applications for the OS Windows family Distributions based on MSI technology are increasingly being used ( Microsoft Windows Installer). This technology provides users with a number of advantages when working with the application.
Special case - remote installation programs. This term means that the distribution is located on some network resource, and the installation process is managed by the network administrator (for this reason this process often also called administrative setting). In this case, the user does not care in what form the distribution is stored. However, looking ahead, we note that a popular form of storing a distribution for remote installation is an installation CD (or DVD) image file.
Finally, one more specific type of distribution- these are the so-called update packages, or “service packs” (transliteration from the English term Service Pack). Such a package is installed “on top” of a previously installed application (or operating system). During the installation process, some Modules of the updated software. As a rule, the service pack is delivered to users in the form of a self-extracting archive (.exe file), the name of which includes the letters SP (an abbreviation for Service Pack) and a number indicating serial number(version) of the package.
Perhaps some of the computer users have heard this interesting word - distribution. Now I will reveal to you this veil of some mystery around this concept and you will figure out how to install it, how to launch it and in general why it is needed.
Without unnecessary words, I'll get straight to the point...
What is a distribution?
Distribution(from English distribute translation "to distribute") - this is installation package program, which contains all the necessary components.
Let's look at it with an example.
Let's say you downloaded some program. Often it is in the archive () and you unzip it. As a result, you get a folder in which many other folders and some files are located. This entire folder can safely be called distribution.
All these internal folders and files are needed so that after running the installation file (which is located there), the program will “scatter” them in the right order and install itself.
There are also distributions that are “packed” in the ISO () format. These distributions are created specifically to be written to disk later, or the program can only be installed from disk. This format especially relevant for Operating Systems and games.
Here it is important to remember and understand only one important thing - the distribution kit is needed to install the program. Those. You can write this same distribution kit (folder) onto a flash drive or disk and go with it and install this program for everyone.
Let's assume that you have a distribution kit for listening to music (in simple terms). You installed it on your computer. Now, if you want to install the same player on another computer, then you need to take the distribution kit, and not just take and copy the folder with the installed player.
Although sometimes this method also “works” and you can simply transfer the folder to another computer and the program will work. But there are a number of nuances here. After all, when installing, the program writes itself not only to the folder Program Files, as well as in and in and places and does a lot more with the system. Therefore, if you copy a program to another person in this way, it most often will not work correctly.
Distributions are often also called by other words: installers (eng. install - install), installers, installers, etc. They are also needed to install the program.
There are also often installations that do not contain “extra” files and folders. You only download the file with the .exe extension, and then simply run it and the installation process will begin.
There are also often installations that are small in size, but upon startup they begin to install and download “their spare parts” from the Internet.
If we focus on the exe format, then the whole point is that this same .exe file is still the same distribution. Only all the folders and files were taken and “archived” into one exe file. It just makes the job a lot easier. Is it true? You don’t need to unzip it and then look for which file to launch... Speaking of launching...
How to run the distribution?
As I wrote above, if you have a distribution in the form of a simple installer (one exe file), then launch it and off you go.
If you have the distribution in an archive or in a folder (if you have already unzipped it into it), then look among this “junk” for a file with the extension .exe or .msi. You launch it and enjoy the start of the installation process.
The file name can be either setup, install, or the same name as the program.
I would also like to remind you about the currently popular program formats - those that do not require installation (portable). They are also like separate file, as an archive and as a folder with folders/files.
What's good about this format? Yes, obviously. You just run it and the program is already running. Usually they are even written to a flash drive, and then launched directly from the flash drive from any computer. Very convenient, especially if you need to run the program once (for example, the latter is very good program this is in the article).
Well, I think we can end here. Finally, I’ll write that after installation you can safely delete this installation/distribution (of course, if you feel sorry for it), or you can leave it for later installation somewhere or for yourself, but here you should take into account the fact that until you decide again install this program, it may appear new version(Although modern programs increasingly have an update function).
At the moment when a novice user approaches the process of installing and uninstalling programs. The word “distribution” itself comes from the English “distribute”, which in translation sounds like “distribution”, “to distribute”. In relation to a computer, the concept of a distribution kit means distributing a program for its installation (installation) in the form of packaged files (or a single file). You need to understand that the program itself and its distribution are two different things.
What is the difference between a distribution and a program?
A program distribution is a set of files (package) of the program itself, in a certain way, files with instructions for the operating system (where and what to install) and an installer file, which is a kind of instruction for the user, the so-called installation wizard, which will help you step by step through the entire process installing the program.
When you run the installer, your computer is checked for compliance with the program being installed (whether there is enough space, performance, availability of the necessary additional software, operating system version, etc.). If all conditions are met, the process itself begins, where the installation wizard, with the help of messages and prompts, will guide the user until the very end of the installation. During the installation process, all settings of the installed program are written to a special operating system database, the so-called “registry”. Without entries in the registry, the program will either not work at all or will work with errors.
Based on this, the folder with installed application You can’t just take it to another folder or to another computer - it simply won’t be able to work normally or won’t work at all. Although there are exceptions in the form of the so-called portable programs, working without installation, but complex and multifunctional applications require a full installation from the distribution kit.
For a better understanding, we can give an example of cabinet furniture, which is sold (distributed) disassembled and packaged. For example, packaged cabinet elements can be called distribution files. To install the cabinet, you unpack its structures, after which, checking the attached assembly instructions (installation wizard), assemble the furniture for installation in in the right place. Moreover, you have previously determined the installation location and accordingly selected the dimensions of the cabinet, based on which, moving the assembled structure to another place will be problematic due to the inappropriate dimensions of the place or cabinet itself (similar to transferring an installed program to another place or computer).
Let's say you once heard a word like distribution, it doesn’t matter where - whether on the Internet, or from users, but the fact is that you don’t know the meaning of this word. We will talk about this in detail today.
So what is a distribution?
Distribution is a file or several files that contain various instructions, intended for installing the program. In simple words- This installation file or program files.
For example, it might look like this: You downloaded some program that was packaged in rar or zip archive, then you unpack all the files in this archive and get a folder containing many various files. All together this can be called a distribution kit. Also, there are distributions packaged in ISO formats, which are also quite easy to unpack.
And in general, why all these difficulties with distribution kits and a bunch of files?
And everything is really simple. When installing a program from an installation file (distribution), the files are distributed into specific folders, and data is also written to the registry, so when installing a program, distributions are very important.
And by the way, the distribution kit and the program itself are two different things.
When we run the distribution installation file, most often the installation window will launch, which will help with installing the program. The installation wizard can check whether all conditions are met to install the program. This can be a check of the computer resources for running the application, as well as a check of the system requirements.
Therefore, with the help of a distribution kit, we can configure, for example, the program language, interface, some additional files that need to be installed.
Typically the distribution has the extension exe or msi and consists of one file. They can be downloaded from the Internet, they weigh a little from several megabytes or more. This file has installation instructions and running it, that's it necessary files already downloaded from the Internet.
For example, browser distribution Google Chrome weighs almost 1 MB and all other files are downloaded from the Internet and then installed.
Another example. Existing operating systems various programs, such as Photoshop or 3D Max have large number files - all this is called a distribution. These folders with many files usually contain a file Install.exe or Setup.exe, which launches the distribution installer.
How to run the distribution?
As I said above, the distribution has a file called Install.exe or Setup.exe. Launch it and the installation will begin.
Today there is a new interesting format for launching programs called Portable. The good thing about it is that upon startup the desired file, the program will already work and you don't need to install anything. This is very convenient, because such a program can be transferred to a flash drive and used on any computer directly from the flash drive. 
Finally, I would like to say an important thing. When installing the program, it is advisable not to move it installed files or folders to another location, because of this, it most likely will not work. And all because the entries in the registry will not be found, therefore, you should not only not move files to another location, but also copy, for example, already installed program from one computer to another, it most likely will not work either, but there are exceptions.
I think it’s worth ending here. I also advise you not to delete the distribution after installation, because it may come in handy, but that’s up to you to decide.