Re: separation of pkgbase from pkg (was: Re: FreeBSD pkgbase vs distsets.)

On Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:29:35 +0100
vermaden <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> I tried to propose the same thing even before FreeBSD 15.0-RELEASE
> was released here:
> -
> https://lists.freebsd.org/archives/freebsd-pkgbase/2025-July/000596.html
> 
> To have pkgbase(8) command with separate configs/paths nad SQLite
> database for Base System while leaving current pkg(8) with its own
> paths and database for third party packages ... but there was no
> interest.

Hi,

One of the problems with this approach is that it breaks the dependency
that ports can have on a base package. This is an extremely useful
feature allowing to install a really small set of base packages while
having the confidence that any missing piece required by a port gets
automatically installed.

Personnaly I don't think that it would be a wise way forward. Mostly
due to the increase in complexity, bug surface and chance of errors.
If one wish to do that today, it is just a matter exporting a couple of
environment variables. I've done it... and stopped for the reasons
exposed ;-)


Best regards,

Benjamin

P.S.: one thing that I seem to be missing with pkgbase is the creation
of /boot/kernel.old when installing a new kernel (or maybe I just need
to rtfm?)