After almost 5 years since the last release, the package management system GNU Stow 2.4 has been introduced. This system uses symbolic links to separate the contents and related data. The Stow code is written in Perl and is distributed under the GPLV3 license.
Stow takes a unique approach to placing packages, different from traditional package managers. All components associated with a program are installed by regular tools in a separate subdirectory in the /usr/local/stow directory (e.g. /usr/local/stow/emacs). Stow’s task is to arrange symbolic links in the system hierarchy of /usr/local and ensure their integrity.
When a package is removed, all related symbolic links are deleted. The files of installed programs inside the /usr/local/stow directory remain unchanged, as Stow only operates with symbolic links. Stow also allows for the management of programs and configuration files in the user’s home directory.
In the new release, some notable improvements have been introduced. Users now have the option to use the “-Dotfiles” option along with directories, as well as in combination with the “–compat” option. The package deletion logic has been enhanced, and false warning messages have been eliminated. Debugging output has been improved with the use of “-v” (verbose).
Furthermore, the code base has been cleaned, and internal changes, while not visible to the user, have been made to facilitate support. The release process has been refined, making it easier to manage and support the GNU Stow system.