I would like to propose the following,
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2.7. The Release File
----------------------
This file plays and important role in how APT presents the archive to
the user. Its main purpose is to present a descriptive name for the
source of each version of each package. It also is used to detect when
new versions of debian are released. It augments the package file it
is associated with by providing meta information about the entire
archive which the Packages file describes.
The full name of the distribution for presentation to the user is
formed as 'label version archive', with a possible extended name being
'label version archive component'.
The file is formed as the package file (RFC-822) with the following
tags defined:
Archive
This is the common name we give our archives, such as *stable* or
*unstable*.
Component
Referes to the sub-component of the archive, *main*, *contrib*
etc.
Version
This is a version string with the same properties as in the
Packages file. It represents the release level of the archive.
Source
This specifies who is providing this archive. In the case of
Debian the string will read 'Debian'. Other providers may use
their own string
Label
This carries the encompassing name of the distribution. For
Debian proper this field reads 'Debian'. For derived
distributions it should contain their proper name.
Architecture
When the archive has packages for a single architecture then the
Architecture is listed here. If a mixed set of systems are
represented then this should contain the keyword *mixed*.
NotAutomatic
A Yes/No flag indicating that the archive is extremely unstable
and its version's should never be automatically selected. This is
to be used by experimental.
Description
Description is used to describe the release. For instance
experimental would contain a warning that the packages have
problems.
The location of the Release file in the archive is very important, it
must be located in the same location as the packages file so that it
can be located in all situations. The following is an example for the
current stable release, 1.3.1r6
Archive: stable
Compontent: main
Version: 1.3.1r6
Source: Debian
Label: Debian
Architecture: i386
This is an example of experimental,
Archive: experimental
Version: 0
Souce: Debian
Label: Debian
Architecture: mixed
NotAutomatic: Yes
And unstable,
Archive: unstable
Compontent: main
Version: 2.1
Source: Debian
Label: Debian
Architecture: i386
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Thanks,
Jason
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