Linux package formats

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Linux package formats are the different file formats used to package software for various GNU/Linux distributions. There are three principal kinds of package:

Binary packages
Source packages
Recipe packages

[edit] Examples

deb — Debian package, originally from Debian. Used by Debian derivatives like Knoppix and Ubuntu
ebuild — the file containing information on how to retrieve, compile, and install a package in Gentoo's Portage system using the command emerge. Typically these are source-primary installs, though binary packages can be installed in this fashion as well. Gentoo based distributions also use the ebuild system from the same Portage tree.
klik — klik aims to provide an easy way of getting software packages for most major distributions without the dependency problems so common in many other package formats.
recipe — the file containing information on how to download, unpack, compile and install a package in Gobo Linux distribution using its Compile tool. This system is similar to the Gentoo's Portage, but is more simplistic in design.
RPM — RPM Package Manager, originally from Red Hat, is now used by many other distributors as well
src — building the packages from source (often binary packages are provided in parallel on many systems).^{[citation needed]}
tgz or tar.gz — standard tar + gzip, possibly with some extra control files — used by Slackware and others, or sometimes when distributing very simple handmade packages.
CNR stands for "click and run". It is a FREE software delivery service designed for Linspire users that makes it easy to install Linux software.
Autopackage makes software installation on Linux easier. Autopackage let you install applications on any distribution, can automatically resolve dependencies but is not meant to replace rpm packages