Distribution (software)

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The term distribution comes from the Latin ( distributio ) and describes the macroeconomic distribution of distribution objects. This includes goods, services, rights, remuneration and information, but also the distribution of income in society. In the context of software , the term has two different meanings: software packaging and software distribution .

Software packaging (EDP)

A distribution is a compilation of software components that is passed on and supported (technically supervised) as a complete package. The reasons for this can be different. A typical example are software components that can only be used meaningfully if they are installed together with other software, or because a program depends on the existence of other programs in order to be able to start. It also often happens that a distributor gives the compilation their own special features that are not available anywhere else in this form. This compilation is then also technically supervised by the distributor, i.e. technical advice is offered to customers or users free of charge or for a fee.

This concept is often used, especially in the field of free software . There are Linux distributions as well as Berkeley software distributions and distributions of free DOS versions. The advantage for the distributor is that he can adapt the open-source software almost at will. This often creates the situation that there are different distributions for the same software. These are then based on the same source texts, but have specific peculiarities in the installation, in the appearance (look and feel), in the specific program selection, in the design, etc.

Software distribution

The processes of software distribution for the controlled installation of software on user PCs in companies must be distinguished from the previously mentioned understanding of the term “distribution”. In this context, too, one speaks of “distribution”. Administrative processes such as access and license management are typically closely related to the technical mechanisms for distribution.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Duden | Distribution | Spelling, meaning, definition, synonyms, origin. Retrieved June 3, 2018 .
  2. ↑ ▷ Distribution - simple definition & explanation »Lexicon. Retrieved June 3, 2018 .
  3. ↑ Linux operating systems - What is a Linux distri »Heise-Online. Retrieved January 7, 2020 .