Fink 231547 225793550 2008-07-15T12:49:42Z 193.49.161.187 update latest release {{otheruses1|the open source project}} [[Image:FinkLogo.jpg|right]] {{infobox software |name=Fink |screenshot=[[Image:Fink-MacOSX-Terminal.png|200px]] |caption=Screenshot of Fink running in [[Terminal (application)|Terminal]] |website= [http://www.finkproject.org finkproject.org] |genre=Package Management |license=[[GNU General Public License]] |latest release version=binary distribution 0.9.0 |latest release date=[[June 26]], [[2008]] |latest preview version=source distribution 0.28.1 |latest preview date=[[March 3]], [[2008]] |operating system = [[Mac OS X]] |status=Active |programming language=Perl }} {{Expand|New sections dealing with Binary Distribution and community driven efforts such as the wiki/FDN and main Fink web-site are needed|date=March 2008}} In [[computing]], the '''Fink''' project is an effort to [[porting|port]] [[Unix]] [[computer program|programs]] to [[Mac OS X]]. Fink uses [[dpkg]] and [[Advanced Packaging Tool|APT]] ([[Debian]]'s [[package management system]]), as well as its own frontend program, <code>fink</code> (which is implemented as a set of [[Perl module]]s). == Implementation == Fink features a binary distribution for quick and easy installation, as well as a source distribution for users preferring more flexibility. In addition to [[Command line interface|command-line]] tools for handling packages, [[FinkCommander]] provides a [[Graphical user interface|GUI]]. The user can configure Fink to utilize the stable or unstable tree for packages. The unstable tree typically has newer releases, but has not stood the test of time. Fink stores all its data in a hierarchy rooted at its own directory, "<code>/sw</code>" by default, rather than as part of the base system or under "<code>/usr/local</code>" as specified in the [[Filesystem Hierarchy Standard]]. In most cases, to remove fink all that is required is the deletion of the "<code>/sw</code>" directory. This directory organization greatly simplifies troubleshooting, increases reliability for systems with many packages installed, and reduces conflicts with other package system including the default [[Mac OS X]] installed packages. Fink can be used to install newer versions of packages installed by [[Mac OS X]] or to install packages not included in [[Mac OS X]]. {{Expand-section|date=March 2008}} == History == The Fink project was started in December 2000 by German [[Hacker (academia)|hacker]] [http://chrisp.de Christoph Pfisterer]. The name "Fink" is [[German language|German]] for [[finch]] and is related to the [[Darwin (operating system)|Darwin]] operating system (that lies at the core of Mac OS X), through [[Charles Darwin]]'s study of diversity among finches. Christoph Pfisterer left the project<ref>{{cite web |author=Pfisterer, Christian |title=Christoph Pfisterer resigns from the fink project. |url=http://lists.apple.com/archives/Studentdev/2001/Nov/msg00190.html |accessdate=2008-03-21 }}</ref> out of frustration in November of 2001 since then several people have stepped in and picked up support for Fink and as of March 2008, the project is managed by '''6''' administrators, '''89''' developers, and a very active community. <br> The Fink community released support for [[Mac OS X v10.4]] on '''18 Feb. 2006''' and for [[Mac OS X Leopard]] on '''26 October 2007''', the same day Apple released Leopard. == See also == {{portal|Free software|Free Software Portal Logo.svg}} *[[MacPorts]] (formerly called DarwinPorts) *[[Gentoo/Alt]] *[[Pkgsrc]] == References == {{reflist}} == External links == * [http://www.finkproject.org Fink project homepage] [[Category:Perl software]] [[Category:Mac OS X software]] [[Category:Dpkg]] [[Category:Free software programmed in Perl]] [[Category:Free package management systems]] [[ca:Fink]] [[de:Fink (Software)]] [[es:Fink]] [[fr:Fink]] [[it: Fink (informatica)]] [[ja:Fink]] [[no:Fink (Pakkebehandlingssystem)]] [[pl:Fink (informatyka)]]