# srcinst

> source package manager

**Wikidata**: [Q126199620](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126199620)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/srcinst

## Summary
srcinst (also known as GNU Source Installer) is a source package manager that simplifies the installation of software from source code. It was created by Claudio Fontana and was part of the GNU Project from 2005 to 2013 before being decommissioned.

## Key Facts
- Created by Claudio Fontana, engineering manager at SUSE
- Part of the GNU Project from June 2005 to March 2019
- Latest stable version was 2.5, released July 19, 2008
- Licensed under GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3) from June 30, 2007
- Decommissioned in March 2013 and replaced by GNU Guix and GNU Source Release Collection
- Available for BSD and Unix-like operating systems
- Featured both command-line and graphical interfaces (GTK and Tk)
- Official website was https://www.gnu.org/software/sourceinstall/ (active 2005-2013)

## FAQs
### Q: What is srcinst used for?
A: srcinst is a source package manager that automates the process of downloading, configuring, compiling, and installing software from source code on Unix-like systems.

### Q: Who created srcinst?
A: srcinst was created by Claudio Fontana, an engineering manager at SUSE who is also a software engineer and programmer.

### Q: Is srcinst still maintained?
A: No, srcinst was decommissioned by the GNU Project in March 2013 and is no longer maintained. It has been replaced by GNU Guix and GNU Source Release Collection.

### Q: What license does srcinst use?
A: srcinst is licensed under the GNU General Public License. It was originally under GPLv2 but moved to GPLv3 on June 30, 2007.

### Q: What operating systems support srcinst?
A: srcinst runs on BSD and Unix-like operating systems.

## Why It Matters
srcinst represented an important tool in the GNU ecosystem for managing software installations from source code, providing a standardized approach to what can be a complex and error-prone process. Before its decommissioning, it offered both novice and experienced users a way to easily install software from source without manually handling the compilation and installation steps. As a GNU package, it embodied the free software philosophy by making powerful software management tools freely available. Its development history shows the evolution of open-source software management tools, transitioning from GPLv2 to GPLv3 as licensing standards evolved. Though replaced by newer tools like GNU Guix, srcinst played a significant role in the GNU Project's software management ecosystem during its active years.

## Notable For
- Being one of the few GNU packages specifically focused on source code installation management
- Transitioning from GPLv2 to GPLv3 licensing in 2007, reflecting evolving open-source standards
- Offering both command-line and graphical interfaces (GTK and Tk) for user flexibility
- Being officially adopted into the GNU Project in 2005 after community evaluation
- Maintaining a stable development cycle with 9 major versions released between 2005-2008

## Body
### Development History
srcinst was created by Claudio Fontana and submitted to the GNU Project in May 2005. After evaluation, it was accepted as a GNU package in June 2005. The project saw active development with nine stable versions released between September 2005 and July 2008, showing consistent improvement and feature additions.

### Technical Features
The software provided both a scriptable command-line interface and graphical interfaces using GTK and Tk toolkits. This dual-interface approach made it accessible to both advanced users who preferred command-line tools and those who wanted graphical management of source installations.

### Licensing Evolution
Initially released under GNU General Public License version 2, srcinst moved to version 3 on June 30, 2007. This transition reflected the broader open-source community's shift toward GPLv3 and its updated terms regarding patent rights and other legal considerations.

### Project Lifecycle
After six years of active development and maintenance within the GNU Project, srcinst was decommissioned in March 2013. The decision to replace it with GNU Guix and GNU Source Release Collection suggests that newer approaches to package management had emerged that better served the community's needs.

### Community Impact
During its active period, srcinst maintained mailing lists and bug tracking through Savannah, the GNU Project's collaborative development environment. The software was downloaded from official GNU FTP servers, indicating its integration into the broader GNU software distribution network.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "srcinst",
  "alternateName": ["GNU Source Installer", "sourceinstall"],
  "description": "Source package manager for Unix-like systems",
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Claudio Fontana"
  },
  "applicationCategory": "Package Manager",
  "license": "GNU General Public License",
  "operatingSystem": ["BSD", "Unix-like"],
  "dateCreated": "2005",
  "dateModified": "2008",
  "dateDecommissioned": "2013",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2470288",
    "https://cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/sourceinstall/"
  ]
}

## References

1. [[Savannah-help-public] [sr #104314] moving sourceinstall to GNU. 2005](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/savannah-hackers/2005-06/msg00159.html)
2. [[Savannah-help-public] [Savannah] srcinst want to be a GNU package. 2005](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/savannah-hackers/2005-05/msg00341.html)
3. [Source](https://cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/sourceinstall/)
4. Free Software Directory
5. [Source](https://cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/sourceinstall/sourceinstall2/sourceinstall/ChangeLog?view=markup#l34)
6. [Contents of /sourceinstall2/sourceinstall/sourceinstall.c. 2007](https://cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/sourceinstall/sourceinstall2/sourceinstall/sourceinstall.c?view=markup)
7. [GNU Source Installer 2.5 released. 2008](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2008-07/msg00013.html)
8. [GNU Source Installer 2.4 released under GPLv3. 2007](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2007-06/msg00035.html)
9. [Source](https://cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/sourceinstall/sourceinstall2/sourceinstall-gtk/ChangeLog?view=markup#l100)
10. [GNU Source Installer 2.3 released. 2007](https://savannah.gnu.org/news/?id=4697)
11. [Source Installer 2.3 released. 2007](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2007-01/msg00003.html)
12. [Source Installer 2.2 released. 2006](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2006-08/msg00002.html)
13. [GNU Source Installer 2.1 released. 2006](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2006-04/msg00011.html)
14. [GNU Source Installer (sourceinstall) 2.0 released. 2006](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2006-02/msg00002.html)
15. [GNU Source Installer version 0.5 has been released. 2005](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2005-09/msg00002.html)
16. [GNU Source Installer version 0.4 released. 2005](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2005-07/msg00006.html)
17. [GNU Source Installer version 0.3 released. 2005](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/bug-sourceinstall/2005-06/msg00004.html)
18. [GNU Source Installer. 2013](https://www.gnu.org/software/sourceinstall/)
19. [Source](https://www.gnu.org/software/sourceinstall/)
20. [Source](https://cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewvc/sourceinstall/sourceinstall2/sourceinstall-gtk/NEWS?view=markup)
21. [[Savannah-help-public] [sr #104301] rename srcinst to sourceinstall. 2005](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/savannah-hackers/2005-06/msg00132.html)
22. [Source](https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/bug-sourceinstall/)