Wade Maxfield said: [snip] > I've muddled through a RedHat build on X windows to write a custom > driver for a touch screen to work, modified from another driver. Rather > cryptic understanding what they mean sometimes in the source code, but > the examples made things clear with time and mistakes. > > > However, I've never understood the RedHat build model. I get the > kernel > source and there are dozens of patch files. HUH? Do I need them? > [snip] Part of what you are probably trying to understand is the underlying model that 'rpm' uses. The quick synopsis is that rpm works on 'clean sources'. When you unpack a source rpm, you get the original clean sources, plus patches. The rpm build process is to unpack the clean sources, apply the patches, build from that. I recommend Maximum RPM for a good overall look at what RPM is trying to accomplish, and a good idea of how it does so. Be VERY aware, however, that rpm has evolved quite a bit since this book was written, and therefore not everything in it precisely correct anymore. http://www.rpm.org/max-rpm/ I don't have my notes from the last time I added a patch to a redhat kernel rpm handy right now, but if you like I could find them Monday and write them up for you. -- Michael Kohne mhkohne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx "You should be smarter than the equipment you are trying to operate." -- Matt Osborne
