Fink
From OS X Scientific Computing
Contents |
What is it?
Fink is a package management system for third-party unix (and gnu/linux) open-source and gnu free software installation.
Are there other options?
The main alternative is MacPorts (formerly DarwinPorts). I don't use it much because fink seems to have more scientific-related software. However, the two can peacefully coexist (they are cooperative projects, not competitors for your free software dollars).
Also, many third-party unix programs can be installed into /usr/local manually without fanfare. Many people prefer to do things that way. Package management systems exist to help ease the burden of system administration and keeping things up to date and running, but you should not feel obligated to make use of them.
Having said that, you are nuts if you don't, or at least have way more spare time on your hands than I do.
Install Fink
Do this First
Install Xcode
Be sure you have the most current release.
- For 10.5, this is Xcode 3.0 as of December 18, 2007. It comes as an optional install on the OS X installation DVD.
- For 10.4, this is Xcode 2.5, which you must download and install.
Be sure to install the X11 SDK (installs by default now, so you shouldn't have to do anything).
Install X11
Almost everything you need in Fink assumes you have installed both the X11.app and X11 SDK. Be sure to do this before you begin, or else fink will install its own version, which I do not recommend.
Installing Fink on 10.6
Please go to the page entitled Installing Fink on 10.6
Binary installer for 10.4 and 10.5
For 10.5 and 10.4, a binary installer is now available.
Go to the Fink quick start page and install the binary installer, or do a Fink Manual Install. Then immediately update it by typing the following commands in a new terminal window:
fink scanpackages; fink index sudo apt-get update ; sudo apt-get install fink ; sudo apt-get dist-upgrade fink selfupdate; fink update-all
The commands on the first line are essential to finish setting up fink. Those on the second line make sure you have the latest binary releases. Those on the third line will make sure you have the most up to date base fink packages, even if this means you have to compile some yourself. It will save you huge headaches to do all three now. The second line and the third line are commands you will use to keep fink updated. I recommend issuing them at least once a week.
Bootstrap Compilation: Fully manual and configurable install
A binary installer is now available for 10.5.X, so you no longer have to compile Fink from the source code. But you can, if you wish. This is also handy if you want to put fink somewhere other than /sw. Follow the directions posted at Fink Manual Install
If you have problems with the above, or simply prefer to compile everything yourself (for finer control), do can try Bootstrap Compilation
=Using "Unstable" packages=
If you need a lot of packages from the unstable branch of fink, here is How to Activate the Unstable Branch in fink.
Getting your fink installation to use packages that I have pre-compiled
Please go to the page Getting your fink installation to use packages that I have pre-compiled
