# `packs`

This tool provides predicates for downloading, installing, upgrading, and uninstalling third-party libraries and applications, generically known as packs. Collections of pack specifications are made available using registries. Registries can be local to a system, publicly shared, or private to a company (e.g., only available in a VPN). There is no concept of a central registry. Users can decide which registries they trust and want to use and add them using their published URLs. The tool supports both pack checksums and signatures and takes several steps to sanitize registry and pack specifications. As with other Logtalk developer tools, portability is a main goal. This tool can be used with any supported Prolog backend and run on both POSIX and Windows systems. Moreover, this tool can be used not only for handling Logtalk packs but also for Prolog only packs, thus providing a solution for sharing portable resources between multiple systems.

A list of public Logtalk and Prolog pack registries is available at:

https://github.com/LogtalkDotOrg/pack-registries

This tool is in the beta stage of development. Feedback is most welcome.

## Requirements

On POSIX systems (Linux, macOS, …), the following shell commands are required:

- `sha256sum` (provided by GNU `coreutils`)

- `curl` (default file downloader)

- `wget` (alternative file downloader)

- `bsdtar` (provided by `libarchive` or `libarchive-tools`)

- `gpg` (provided by `gnupg2`)

- `git`

- `direnv` (when using virtual environments)

The tool uses `bsdtar` instead of GNU `tar` so that it can uncompress `.zip` archives (`unzip` doesn’t provide the desired options that allow a simple and reliable solution for ignoring the non-predictable name of the wrapper directory).

On Windows systems, the following shell commands are required:

- `certutil.exe`

- `curl.exe` (default file downloader)

- `wget.exe` (alternative file downloader)

- `tar.exe`

- `gpg.exe`

- `git.exe`

- `Set-PsEnv` (when using virtual environments)

In recent Windows 10 builds, only `wget`, `gpg`, `git`, and `Set-PsEnv` should require installation. You can download the GnuPG software from:

https://www.gnupg.org/

You can download Git from:

https://gitforwindows.org

You can download Wget from:

https://eternallybored.org/misc/wget/

You can also use Chocolatey to install the commands above:

    > choco install gnupg git wget

To install Set-PsEnv from the PowerShell Gallery:

    PS> Install-Module -Name Set-PsEnv

On macOS systems, Apple bundles both `curl` and BSD `tar` (under the name `tar`; you can simply create a `bsdtar` alias or install a more recent version). The required commands can be easily installed using MacPorts:

    $ sudo port install coreutils wget libarchive gnupg2 git direnv

Or using Homebrew:

    $ brew install coreutils wget libarchive gnupg2 git direnv

On Linux systems, use the distribution’s own package manager to install any missing command. For example, in recent Ubuntu versions:

    $ sudo apt update
    $ sudo apt install coreutils curl wget libarchive-tools gnupg2 git direnv

## API documentation

This tool API documentation is available at:

../../apis/library_index.html#packs

## Loading

This tool can be loaded using the query:

    | ?- logtalk_load(packs(loader)).

## Testing

To run the tool tests, use the query:

    | ?- logtalk_load(packs(tester)).

The tests can be run without interfering with the user packs setup.

## Usage

The `packs` tool loads at startup all the currently defined registry and pack specifications (from the registries/packs storage directory; see below). When no registry/pack setup exists, a new one is automatically created.

The tool provides two main objects, `registries` and `packs`, for handling, respectively, registries and packs. Both objects accept a `help/0` message that describes the most common queries.

## Programmatic query API

Besides the user-facing predicates that print information (e.g., `describe/1-2`), the `packs` object also provides a query API intended for programmatic use by tools and tests. This API exposes resolved installed-pack metadata and current-session load participation as data instead of formatted text.

The main predicates are:

- `pack_metadata/4`

- `pack_property/4`

- `pack_object/3`

- `loaded_pack/3`

- `loaded_pack_file/4`

- `pack_dependency/6`

- `loaded_pack_dependency/6`

The `pack_metadata/4` predicate enumerates installed packs and returns a resolved metadata term with the shape:

    metadata(Name, Description, License, Home, SourceURL, Checksum, Dependencies, Portability, Directory, Pinned, Installed, Loaded)

The term combines metadata declared by the pack specification object with the metadata selected from the installed version. Missing optional metadata is normalized to `none`. The `Installed` field is always `true` on success. The `Loaded` field reports if the installed pack contributed at least one currently loaded file to the session.

For example:

    | ?- packs::pack_metadata(Registry, Pack, Version, Metadata).
    ...

The `pack_property/4` predicate provides selective access to resolved metadata using property terms. Supported properties are:

- `name(Name)`

- `description(Description)`

- `license(License)`

- `home(Home)`

- `source_url(URL)`

- `checksum(Checksum)`

- `dependencies(Dependencies)`

- `portability(Portability)`

- `directory(Directory)`

- `pinned(Boolean)`

- `installed(Boolean)`

- `loaded(Boolean)`

For example:

    | ?- packs::pack_property(local_1_d, foo, Version, license(License)).
    License = 'Apache-2.0'.

The `pack_object/3` predicate is a low-level bridge that returns the pack specification object implementing the `pack_protocol` for a given registry and pack. Most clients should prefer `pack_metadata/4` or `pack_property/4` unless direct access to the pack object is required.

For example:

    | ?- packs::pack_object(local_1_d, foo, PackObject).
    PackObject = foo_pack.

The `loaded_pack/3` and `loaded_pack_file/4` predicates expose current-session pack participation. A pack is considered loaded iff at least one currently loaded file belongs to its installation directory. The first predicate is the high-level query, while the second predicate can be used to inspect the files that justify that status.

For example:

    | ?- packs::loaded_pack(Registry, Pack, Version).
    ...

    | ?- packs::loaded_pack_file(Registry, Pack, Version, File).
    ...

The `pack_dependency/6` predicate enumerates resolved direct pack-to-pack dependencies for installed pack versions using the same version comparison and dependency selection semantics used by the installation logic. Version ranges, alternatives, and conjunctions are resolved canonically. Non-pack dependencies on Logtalk, Prolog backends, and operating systems are ignored by this predicate.

For example:

    | ?- packs::pack_dependency(local_1_d, foo, 2:0:0, DependencyRegistry, DependencyPack, DependencyVersion).
    DependencyRegistry = local_2_d,
    DependencyPack = baz,
    DependencyVersion = 1:0:0.

The `loaded_pack_dependency/6` predicate is the loaded-session counterpart of `pack_dependency/6`. It only succeeds when both the source pack and the dependency pack contributed loaded files to the current session.

For example:

    | ?- packs::loaded_pack_dependency(Registry, Pack, Version, DependencyRegistry, DependencyPack, DependencyVersion).
    ...

These predicates are especially useful for tools such as `sbom`, which need to query resolved pack metadata, determine which installed packs contributed code to the current session, and enumerate relationships between those packs without reconstructing that information manually.

## Registries and packs storage

The tool uses a directory specified using the `logtalk_packs` library alias when defined (in a settings file or in a backend Prolog initialization file). When this library alias is not defined, the tool uses the value of the `LOGTALKPACKS` environment variable when defined. Otherwise, it defaults to the `~/logtalk_packs` directory. The actual directory can be retrieved by the query:

    | ?- packs::logtalk_packs(Directory).
    ...

This directory holds sub-directories for registries, packs, and archives. These sub-directories are automatically created when loading the `packs` tool if they don’t exist. Users should not manually modify the contents of these directories. Multiple and independent registry/pack setups are possible using virtual environments as explained next.

Your registries and packs setup can be saved and restored (e.g., in a different system) by using the `packs::save/1-2` and `packs::restore/1-2` predicates, as explained in the next section about virtual environments. If necessary, before restoring, the `packs::reset/0` predicate can be called to delete any defined registries and installed packs.

## Virtual environments

An application may require specific pack versions. These requirements may differ between applications. Different applications may also have conflicting requirements. Therefore, a virtual environment where an application requirements are fulfilled may be required to develop and/or run it. A virtual environment is essentially a registries/packs storage directory.

Defining the `logtalk_packs` library alias in a settings file or defining the `LOGTALKPACKS` environment variable before starting Logtalk allows easy creation and switching between virtual environments. By using a per-application settings file (or a per-application environment variable definition), each application can thus use its own virtual environment. The `settings.lgt` file can define the `logtalk_packs` library alias using code such as:

    :- initialization((
        logtalk_load_context(directory, Directory),
        assertz(logtalk_library_path(logtalk_packs, Directory))
    )).

The definition of the `logtalk_packs` library alias must always be an atom and thus never use library notation (i.e., it must never depend on other library aliases).

When a virtual environment also requires a specific Logtalk version (e.g., the version used to test and certify it), this can be installed as a pack from the official talkshow registry and used by (re)defining the `LOGTALKHOME` and `LOGTALKUSER` environment variables to point to its pack directory (which can be queried by using the `packs::directory/2` message).

Experimental `lgtenv.sh` and `lgtenv.ps1` scripts are included to simplify creating virtual environments. For example:

    $ lgtenv -d ~/my_venv -c -p logtalk_packs
    $ cd ~/my_venv
    direnv: loading ~/my_venv/.envrc
    direnv: export +LOGTALKPACKS

Type `lgtenv -h` for details on the script options.

These scripts require, respectively, direnv and Set-PsEnv to be installed. These utilities load and unload environment variables when changing the current directory. On Windows systems, when using the `lgtenv.ps1` script, you also need to redefine the PowerShell prompt in a profile file (e.g., `$HOME\Documents\PowerShell\Profile.ps1`) to mimic the functionality of `direnv` of automatically loading an existing `.env` file when changing to its directory. For example:

    function prompt {
        Set-PsEnv
        'PS ' + $(Get-Location) + '> '
    }

A virtual environment setup (i.e., the currently defined registries and installed packs) can be saved into a file (e.g., `requirements.lgt`) using the `packs::save/1-2` predicates. For example:

    | ?- packs::save('requirements.lgt').
    ...

This query saves a listing of all the installed packs and their registries. Using the saved file, the virtual environment setup can then be restored using the `packs::restore/1-2` predicates. The file uses a simple format with `registry/2`, `pack/3`, `pinned_registry/1`, and `pinned_pack/1` facts (in this order) and can be manually created or edited if necessary. For example:

    registry(talkshow, 'https://github.com/LogtalkDotOrg/talkshow.git').
    pack(talkshow, logtalk, 3:45:0).
    pack(talkshow, lflat, 2:1:0).

These files can be distributed with applications so that users can easily fulfill application requirements by running the query once:

    | ?- packs::restore('requirements.lgt').

Subsequently, the application `loader.lgt` file can then load the required packs using their loader files:

    :- initialization((
        % load required packs
        logtalk_load(foo(loader)),
        logtalk_load(bar(loader)),
        ...
        % load application files
        ...
    )).

Note that restoring encrypted registries or encrypted packs requires entering the required passphrases. Although the `restore/2` predicate accepts a list of options that include the `gpg/1` option, this only allows specifying a single and common passphrase when interactive entering of passphrases is not convenient or possible.

## Lock files

For deterministic installs and CI/CD reproducibility when working with virtual environments, the `save/2` and `restore/2` predicates support a `lock(true)` option. Saving with this option writes lock extension facts in addition to the requirements facts:

    lockfile_version(1).
    lock_registry_commit(talkshow, '0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567').
    lock_integrity(talkshow, lflat, 2:1:0, sha256, '8774b3863efc03bb6c85dcf34f69f1156d2496a3').

The `lock_registry_commit/2` facts are generated only for registries defined from git URLs. Restoring with `lock(true)` enforces lock extension facts, including exact pack versions, integrity hashes, and git registry commits.

## Registry specification

A registry is a git remote repo that can be cloned, a downloadable or local archive, or a local directory containing a Logtalk loader file that loads source files defining the registry itself and the packs it provides. The registry name is ideally a valid unquoted atom. The registry directory must contain at least two Logtalk source files:

- A file defining an object named after the registry with a `_registry` suffix, implementing the `registry_protocol`. This naming convention helps prevent name conflicts.

- A loader file (named `loader.lgt` or `loader.logtalk`) that loads the registry object file and all pack object files.

An example of a registry specification object would be:

    :- object(jdoe_awesome_packs_registry,
        implements(registry_protocol)).

        :- info([
            version is 1:0:0,
            author is 'John Doe',
            date is 2021-10-18,
            comment is 'John Doe awesome packs registry spec.'
        ]).

        name(jdoe_awesome_packs).

        description('John Doe awesome packs').

        home('https://example.com/jdoe_awesome_packs').

        clone('https://github.com/jdoe/jdoe_awesome_packs.git').

        archive('https://github.com/jdoe/jdoe_awesome_packs/archive/main.zip').

    :- end_object.

Optionally, the registry object can also define a `note(Action, Note)` predicate. The `Action` argument is an atom: `add`, `update`, or `delete`. The `Note` argument is also an atom. The tool will print any available notes when executing one of the registry actions. See the `registry_protocol` documentation for more details.

The registry directory should also contain `LICENSE` and `README.md` files (individual packs can use a different license, however). The path to the `README.md` file is printed when the registry is added. It can also be queried using the `registries::directory/2` predicate. The `NOTES.md` file name can also be used in alternative to the recommended `README.md` file name.

Summarizing the required directory structure using the above example (note that the registry and pack specification files are named after the objects):

    jdoe_awesome_packs
        LICENSE
        README.md
        jdoe_awesome_packs_registry.lgt
        loader.lgt
        foo_pack.lgt
        bar_pack.lgt
        ...

With the contents of the `loader.lgt` file being:

    :- initialization((
        logtalk_load(jdoe_awesome_packs_registry),
        logtalk_load(foo_pack),
        logtalk_load(bar_pack),
        ...
    )).

It would be, of course, possible to have all objects in a single source file. But having a file per-object and a loader file helps maintenance, and it’s also a tool requirement for applying safety procedures to the source file contents and thus successfully loading the registry and pack specs.

As registries are git repos in the most common case, and thus adding them performs a git repo cloning, they should only contain the strictly required files.

## Registry handling

Registries can be added using the `registries::add/1-3` predicates, which take a registry URL. Using the example above:

    | ?- registries::add('https://github.com/jdoe/jdoe_awesome_packs.git').

HTTPS URLs must end with either a `.git` extension or an archive extension (same valid extensions as for pack archives, including `gpg` encrypted). Git cloning URLs are preferred as they simplify updating registries. But a registry can also be made available via a local directory (using a `file://` URL) or a downloadable archive (using a `https://` URL).

For registries made available using an archive, the `registries::add/2-3` predicates must be used as the registry name cannot in general be inferred from the URL basename or from the archived directory name. The registry argument must also be the declared registry name in the registry specification object. For example:

    | ?- registries::add(
            jdoe_awesome_packs,
            'https://github.com/jdoe/jdoe_awesome_packs/archive/main.zip'
         ).

When a registry may be already defined, you can use the `update(true)` option to ensure that the registry will be updated to its latest definition:

    | ?- registries::add(
            jdoe_awesome_packs,
            'https://github.com/jdoe/jdoe_awesome_packs/archive/main.zip',
            [update(true)]
         ).

The added registries can be listed using the `registries::list/0` predicate:

    | ?- registries::list.

    % Defined registries:
    %   jdoe_awesome_packs (git)
    %   ...

The `registries::describe/1` predicate can be used to print the details of a registry:

    | ?- registries::describe(jdoe_awesome_packs).

    % Registry:    jdoe_awesome_packs
    % Description: John Doe awesome packs
    % Home:        https://example.com/jdoe_awesome_packs
    % Cloning URL: https://github.com/jdoe/jdoe_awesome_packs.git
    % Archive URL: https://github.com/jdoe/jdoe_awesome_packs/archive/main.zip

To update all registries, use the `registries::update/0` predicate. To update a single registry, use the `registries::update/1-2` predicates. After updating, you can use the `packs::outdated/0-1` predicates to list any outdated packs.

Registries can also be deleted using the `registries::delete/1-2` predicate. By default, any registries with installed packs cannot be deleted. If you force deletion (by using the `force(true)` option), you can use the `packs::orphaned/0` predicate to list any orphaned packs that are installed.

See the tool API documentation on the registries object for other useful predicates.

## Registry development

To simplify registry development and testing, use a local directory and a `file://` URL when calling the `registries::add/1` predicate. For example:

    | ?- registries::add('file:///home/jdoe/work/my_pack_collection').

If the directory is a git repo, the tool will clone it when adding it. Otherwise, the files in the directory are copied to the registry definition directory. This allows the registry to be added and deleted without consequences for the original registry source files.

The `registries::add/3` and `registries::update/2` predicates also accept a `commit(Hash)` option. This option checks out a git registry at an exact commit hash. Using this option with non-git registries fails with an error message.

To check your registry specifications, use the `registries::lint/0-1` predicates after adding the registry.

## Pack specification

A pack is specified using a Logtalk source file defining an object that implements the `pack_protocol`. The source file should be named after the pack with a `_pack` suffix. This naming convention helps prevent name conflicts, notably with the pack’s own objects. The file must be available from a declared pack registry (by having the registry loader file loading it). The pack name is preferably a valid unquoted atom. An example of a pack specification object would be:

    :- object(lflat_pack,
        implements(pack_protocol)).

        :- info([
            version is 1:0:0,
            author is 'Paulo Moura',
            date is 2021-10-18,
            comment is 'L-FLAT - Logtalk Formal Language and Automata Toolkit pack spec.'
        ]).

        name(lflat).

        description('L-FLAT - Logtalk Formal Language and Automata Toolkit').

        license('MIT').

        home('https://github.com/l-flat/lflat').

        version(
            2:1:0,
            stable,
            'https://github.com/l-flat/lflat/archive/refs/tags/v2.1.0.tar.gz',
            sha256 - '9c298c2a08c4e2a1972c14720ef1498e7f116c7cd8bf7702c8d22d8ff549b6a1',
            [logtalk @>= 3:42:0],
            all
        ).

        version(
            2:0:2,
            stable,
            'https://github.com/l-flat/lflat/archive/refs/tags/v2.0.2.tar.gz',
            sha256 - '8774b3863efc03bb6c284935885dcf34f69f115656d2496a33a446b6199f3e19',
            [logtalk @>= 3:36:0],
            all
        ).

    :- end_object.

The `license/1` argument must be an atom and should, whenever possible, be a license identifier as specified in the SPDX standard.

Optionally, the pack object can also define a `note(Action, Version, Note)` predicate. The `Action` argument is an atom: `install`, `update`, or `uninstall`. The `Note` argument is also an atom. The tool will print any available notes when executing one of the registry actions. See the `pack_protocol` documentation for more details.

The pack sources must be available either as a local directory (when using a `file://` URL) or for downloading as a supported archive. The checksum for the archive must use the SHA-256 hash algorithm (`sha256`). The pack may optionally be signed. Supported archive formats and extensions are:

- `.zip`

- `.tgz`, `.tar.gz`

- `.tbz2`, `.tar.bz2`

Also, for encrypted packs, all the extensions above with a `.gpg` suffix (e.g., `.zip.gpg`).

The pack sources should contain `LICENSE`, `README.md` (or `NOTES.md`), and `loader.lgt` (or `loader.logtalk`) files. Ideally, it should also contain a `tester.lgt` (`tester.logtalk`) file. The path to the `README.md` file is printed when the pack is installed or updated. It can also be queried using the `packs::directory/2` predicate.

## Encrypted packs

Packs can be `gpg` encrypted, with a choice of passphrase-based encryption, key-based encryption, or both. Encrypted pack archives must always have a `.gpg` extension. For example, to encrypt a pack archive with a symmetric cipher using a passphrase:

    $ tar -cvzf - my_pack | gpg -c --cipher-algo AES256 > v1.2.1.tar.gz.gpg

In this case, the passphrase would need to be securely communicated to any users installing or updating the pack.

See the `gpg` documentation for full details on encrypting and decrypting archives. If you get a “gpg: problem with the agent: Inappropriate ioctl for device” error message with the command above, try:

    $ export GPG_TTY=$(tty)

## Signed packs

Packs can be `gpg` signed. Detached signature files are assumed and expected to share the name of the archive and use `.asc` or `.sig` extensions. For example, if the pack archive name is `v1.0.0.tar.gz`, the signature file must be named `v1.0.0.tar.gz.asc` or `v1.0.0.tar.gz.sig`. When the `checksig(true)` option is used, the signature file is automatically downloaded using a URL constructed from the pack archive URL. When both `.asc` and `.sig` files exist, the `.asc` file is used. An example of signing a pack and creating the `.asc` file (assuming the default signing key) is:

    $ gpg --armor --detach-sign v1.0.0.tar.gz

To create instead a `.sig` file:

    $ gpg --detach-sign v1.0.0.tar.gz

See the `gpg` documentation for full details on signing archives and sharing the public keys required to verify the signatures.

## Pack URLs and Single Sign-On

Typically, pack archive download URLs are HTTPS URLs and handled using `curl`. It’s also possible to use `git archive` to download pack archives, provided that the server supports it (as of this writing, Bitbucket and GitLab public hosting services support it but not GitHub). Using `git archive` is specially useful when the packs registry is hosted on a server using Single Sign-On (SSO) for authentication. In this case, HTTPS URLs can only be handled by `curl` by passing a token (see below for an example). When the user has setup SSH keys to authenticate to the packs registry server, `git archive` simplifies pack installation, providing a better user experience. For example:

    version(
        1:0:1,
        stable,
        'git@gitlab.com:me/foo.git/v1.0.1.zip',
        sha256 - '0894c7cdb8968b6bbcf00e3673c1c16cfa98232573af30ceddda207b20a7a207',
        [logtalk @>= 3:36:0],
        all
    ).

The pseudo-URL must be the concatenation of the SSH repo cloning URL with the archive name. The archive name must be the concatenation of a valid tag with a supported archive extension. SSH repo cloning URLs use the format:

    git@<hostname>:path/to/project.git

They can usually be easily copied from the hosting service repo webpage. To compute the checksum, you must first download the archive. For example:

    $ git archive --output=foo-v1.0.1.zip --remote=git@gitlab.com:me/foo.git v1.0.1
    $ openssl sha256 foo-v1.0.1.zip

Be sure to use a format that is supported by both the `packs` tool and the `git archive` command (the format is inferred from the `--output` option). Do not download the archive from the web interface of the git hosting service in order to compute the checksum. Different implementations of the archiving and compressing algorithms may be used, resulting in mismatched checksums.

Users installing packs available using `git archive` URLs are advised to run a SSH agent to avoid being prompted for passwords when installing or updating packs. They must also upload their SSH public keys to the pack provider hosts.

## Multiple pack versions

A pack may specify multiple versions. Each version is described using a `version/6` predicate clause as illustrated in the example above. The versions must be listed in order from newest to oldest. For details, see the `pack_protocol` API documentation.

Listing multiple versions allows the pack specification to be updated (by updating its registry) without forcing existing users into installing (or updating to) the latest version of the pack. It allows different applications depending on different pack versions to continue to be built and deployed.

The pack version is complemented by the pack status. Valid values are `stable`, `rc`, `beta`, `alpha`, `experimental`, and `deprecated`. Packs with a `experimental` or `deprecated` status are never installed by default when using the install and update predicates unless their version is explicitly specified. When updating packs, we can restrict the valid status of the updates using the `status/1` option. For example, we can ensure that we only update to new stable pack versions by using the option `status([stable])`.

## Pack dependencies

Pack dependencies on other packs can be specified using a list of `Registry::Pack Operator Version` terms where `Operator` is a standard term comparison operator:

- `Registry::Pack @>= Version` - the pack requires a dependency with a version equal or above the specified one. For example, `logtalk @>= 3:36:0` means that the pack requires Logtalk 3.36.0 or a later version.

- `Registry::Pack @=< Version` - the pack requires a dependency with a version up to the specified one. For example, `common::bits @=< 2:1` means that the pack requires a `common::bits` pack up to 2.1. This includes all previous versions and also all patches for version 2.1 (e.g., 2.1.7, 2.1.8, …) but not version 2.2 or newer.

- `Registry::Pack @< Version` - the pack requires a dependency with version older than the specified one. For example, `common::bits @< 3` means that the pack requires a `common::bits` 2.x or older version.

- `Registry::Pack @> Version` - the pack requires a dependency with version newer than the specified one. For example, `common::bits @> 2:4` means that the pack requires a `common::bits` 2.5 or newer version.

- `Registry::Pack == Version` - the pack requires a dependency with a specific version. For example, `common::bits == 2:1` means that the pack requires a `common::bits` pack version 2.1.x (thus, from version 2.1.0 to the latest patch for version 2.1).

- `Registry::Pack \== Version` - the pack requires a dependency with any version other than the one specified. For example, `common::bits \== 2.1` means that the pack requires a `common::bits` pack version other than any 2.1.x version.

To specify range dependencies by using two consecutive elements with the lower bound followed by the upper bound. For example, `common::bits @>= 2, common::bits @< 3` means all `common::bits` 2.x versions but not older or newer major versions.

It’s also possible to specify alternative dependencies using the `(;)/2` operator. For example, `(common::bits == 1:9; common::bits @>= 2:3)` means either `common::bits` 1.9.x versions or 2.3.x and later versions. Alternatives should be listed in decreasing order of preference.

When a pack also depends on a Logtalk or backend version, the name `logtalk` or the backend identifier atom can be used in place of `Registry::Pack` (see below for the table of backend specifiers). For example, `logtalk @>= 3.36.0`.

When a pack also depends on an operating-system version (e.g., a pack containing shared libraries with executable code), the `os(Name,Machine)` compound term can also be used in place of `Registry::Pack`. For example, `os('Darwin',x86_64) @>= '23.0.0'`. Note that, in this case, the release is an atom. The operating-system data (name, machine, and release) is queried using the corresponding `os` library predicates (see the library documentation for details).

## Pack portability

Ideally, packs are fully portable and can be used with all Logtalk-supported Prolog backends. This can be declared by using the atom `all` in the last argument of the `version/6` predicate (see example above).

When a pack can only be used with a subset of the Prolog backends, the last argument of the `version/6` predicate is a list of backend identifiers (atoms):

- B-Prolog: `b`

- Ciao Prolog: `ciao`

- CxProlog: `cx`

- ECLiPSe: `eclipse`

- GNU Prolog: `gnu`

- JIProlog: `ji`

- Quintus Prolog: `quintus`

- SICStus Prolog: `sicstus`

- SWI-Prolog: `swi`

- Tau Prolog: `tau`

- Trealla Prolog: `trealla`

- XSB: `xsb`

- XVM: `xvm`

- YAP: `yap`

## Pack development

To simplify pack development and testing, define a local registry and add to it a pack specification with the development version available from a local directory. For example:

    version(
        0:11:0,
        beta,
        'file:///home/jdoe/work/my_awesome_library',
        none,
        [],
        all
    ).

If the directory is a git repo, the tool will clone it when installing the pack. Otherwise, the files in the directory are copied to the pack installation directory. This allows the pack to be installed, updated, and uninstalled without consequences for the pack source files.

You can also use a local archive instead of a directory. For example:

    version(
        1:0:0,
        stable,
        'file:///home/jdoe/work/my_awesome_library/v1.0.0.tar.gz',
        sha256 - '1944773afba1908cc6194297ff6b5ac649a844ef69a69b2bcdf267cfa8bfce1e',
        [],
        all
    ).

Packs that are expected to be fully portable should always be checked by loading them with the `portability` flag set to `warning`.

To check your pack manifest files, use the `packs::lint/0-2` predicates after adding the registry that provides the packs.

## Pack handling

Packs must be available from a defined registry. To list all packs that are available for installation, use the `packs::available/0` predicate:

    | ?- packs::available.

To list all installed packs, call the `packs::installed/0` predicate:

    | ?- packs::installed.

To list only the installed packs from a specific registry, call instead the `packs::installed/1` predicate. For example:

    | ?- packs::installed(talkshow).

To know more about a specific pack, use the `packs::describe/1-2` predicates. For example:

    | ?- packs::describe(bar).

The `packs::describe/2` predicate can be used when two or more registries provide packs with the same name. For example:

    | ?- packs::describe(reg, bar).

To install the latest version of a pack, we can use the `packs::install/1-4` predicates. In the most simple case, when a pack name is unique among registries, we can use the `packs::install/1` predicate. For example:

    | ?- packs::install(bar).

Any pack dependencies are also checked and installed or updated if necessary. Other install predicates are available to disambiguate between registries and to install a specific pack version.

Packs become available for loading immediately after successful installation (no restarting of the Logtalk session is required). For example, after the pack `bar` is installed, you can load it at the top-level by typing:

    | ?- {bar(loader)}.

or load it from a loader file using the goal `logtalk_load(bar(loader))`.

After updating the defined registries, outdated packs can be listed using the `packs::outdated/0` predicate. You can update all outdated packs by calling the `packs::update/0` predicate or update a single pack using the `packs::update/1-2` predicates. For example:

    | ?- packs::update(bar).

By default, updating a pack fails if it would break any dependent pack (the `force(true)` option, described below, can be used to force updating in this case).

The tool provides versions of the pack install, update, and uninstall predicates that accept a list of options:

- `verbose(Boolean)` (default is `false`)

- `clean(Boolean)` (default is `false`)

- `update(Boolean)` (default is `false`)

- `force(Boolean)` (default is `false`)

- `compatible(Boolean)` (default is `true`)

- `checksum(Boolean)` (default is `true`)

- `checksig(Boolean)` (default is `false`)

- `git(Atom)` (extra command-line options; default is `''`)

- `downloader(Atom)` (downloader utility; default is `curl`)

- `curl(Atom)` (extra command-line options; default is `''`)

- `wget(Atom)` (extra command-line options; default is `''`)

- `gpg(Atom)` (extra command-line options; default is `''`)

- `tar(Atom)` (extra command-line options; default is `''`)

Note that, by default, only compatible packs can be installed. To install a pack that is incompatible with the current Logtalk version, backend version, or operating-system version, use the `install/4` or `update/3` predicates with the option `compatible(false)`.

When installing large packs over unreliable network conditions, you may try switching the default downloader utility from `curl` to `wget`.

When a pack may already be installed, you can use the `update(true)` option to ensure that the installation will be updated to the specified version:

    | ?- packs::install(reg, bar, 1:1:2, [update(true)]).

When using a `checksig(true)` option to check a pack signature, it is strongly advised that you also use the `verbose(true)` option. For example:

    | ?- packs::install(reg, bar, 1:1:2, [verbose(true), checksig(true)]).

Note that the public key used to sign the pack archive must already be present in your local system.

Downloading pack archives may require passing extra command-line options to `curl` for authentication. A common solution is to use a personal access token. The details depend on the server software. An example when using GitHub:

    | ?- packs::install(reg, bar, 1:1:2, [curl('--header "Authorization: token foo42"')]).

Another example when using GitLab:

    | ?- packs::install(reg, bar, 1:1:2, [curl('--header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: foo42"')]).

Pack archives may be `gpg` encrypted. Encryption can be passphrase-based, key-based, or both. When using only passphrase-based encryption, the archive passphrase must be entered (if not cached) when installing or updating a pack. In this case, the passphrase can be entered interactively or using the `gpg/1` option. For example:

    | ?- packs::install(reg, bar, 1:1:2, [gpg('--batch --passphrase test123')]).

See the `gpg` documentation for details. When using the `gpg/1` option, you should be careful to not leak passphrases in, e.g., the query history.

To uninstall a pack that you no longer need, use the `packs::uninstall/1-2` predicates. By default, only packs with no dependent packs can be uninstalled. You can print or get a list of the packs that depend on a given pack by using the `packs::dependents/1-3` predicates. For example:

    | ?- packs::dependents(reg, bar, Dependents).

See the tool API documentation on the packs object for other useful predicates.

## Pack documentation

The path to the pack `README.md` file is printed when the pack is installed or updated. It can also be retrieved at any time by using the `readme/2` predicate. For example:

    | ?- packs::readme(lflat, Path).

Additional documentation may also be available from the pack home page, which can be printed by using the `describe/1-2` predicates. For example:

    | ?- packs::describe(lflat).

    % Registry:    ...
    % Pack:        lflat
    % Description: L-FLAT - Logtalk Formal Language and Automata Toolkit
    % License:     MIT
    % Home:        https://github.com/l-flat/lflat
    % Versions:
    ...

The pack API documentation can be generated using the `lgtdoc` tool library and directory predicates (depending on the pack source files organization). For example:

    | ?- {lflat(loader)},
         {lgtdoc(loader)},
         logtalk::expand_library_path(lflat, Path),
         lgtdoc::rdirectory(Path).
    ...

This query creates a `xml_docs` directory in the current directory. The XML documentation files can then be converted into a final format, e.g., HTML, using one of the scripts provided by the `lgtdoc` tool. For example:

    $ cd xml_docs
    $ lgt2html

For more details and alternatives, see the `lgtdoc` tool documentation.

It is also possible to add API documentation and diagrams for all the installed packs to the Logtalk distribution API documentation and diagrams by calling the `build` and `update_svg_diagrams` scripts in the `docs/apis/sources` directory with the `-i` option. See the scripts documentation for more details.

## Pinning registries and packs

Registries and packs can be pinned after installation to prevent accidental updating or deleting, e.g., when using the batch `update/0` predicate. This is useful when your application requires a specific version or for security considerations (see below). For example, if we want the `bar` pack to stay at its current installed version:

    | ?- packs::pin(bar).
    yes

After, any attempt to update or uninstall the pack will fail with an error message:

    | ?- packs::update(bar).
    !     Cannot update pinned pack: bar
    no

    | ?- packs::uninstall(bar).
    !     Cannot uninstall pinned pack: bar
    no

To enable the pack to be updated or uninstalled, the pack must first be unpinned. Alternatively, the `force(true)` option can be used. Note that if you force update a pinned pack, the new version will be unpinned.

It’s also possible to pin (or unpin) all defined registries or installed packs at once by using the `pin/0` (or `unpin/0`) predicates. But note that registries added after or packs installed after will not be automatically pinned.

## Testing packs

Logtalk packs (as most Logtalk libraries, tools, and examples) are expected to have a `tester.lgt` or `tester.logtalk` tests driver file at the root of their directory, which can be used for both automated and manual testing. For example, after installing the `foo` pack:

    | ?- {foo(tester)}.

To test all installed packs, you can use the `logtalk_tester` automation script from the installed packs directory, which you can query using the goal:

    | ?- packs::prefix(Directory).

Note that running the packs tests, like simply loading the pack, can result in calling arbitrary code, which can potentially harm your system. Always take into account the security considerations discussed below.

## Security considerations

New pack registries should be examined before being added, specially if public and from a previously unknown source. The same precautions should be taken when adding or updating a pack. Note that a registry can always index third-party packs.

Pack checksums are checked by default. But pack signatures are only checked if requested, as packs are often unsigned. Care should be taken when adding public keys for pack signers to your local system.

Registry and pack spec files, plus the registry loader file, are compiled by term-expanding them so that only expected terms are actually loaded and only expected `logtalk_load/2` goals with expected relative file paths are allowed. Predicates defining URLs are discarded if the URLs are neither `https://` nor `file://` URLs or if they contain non-allowed characters (currently, only alpha-numeric ASCII characters plus the ASCII `/`, `.`, `-`, and `_` characters are accepted). But note that this tool makes no attempt to audit pack source files themselves.

Registries and packs can always be pinned so that they are not accidentally updated to a version that you may not have had the chance to audit.

## Best practices

- Make available a new pack registry as a git repo. This simplifies updating the registry and rolling back to a previous version.

- Use registry and pack names that are valid unquoted atoms, thus simplifying usage. Use descriptive names with underscores if necessary to link words.

- Name the registry and pack specification objects after their names with a `_registry` or `_pack` suffix. Save the objects in files named after the objects.

- Create new pack versions from git tags.

- If the sources of a pack are available from a git repo, consider using signed commits and signed tags for increased security.

- When a new pack version breaks backwards compatibility, list both the old and the new versions on the pack specification file.

- Pin registries and packs when specific versions are critical for your work so that you can still easily batch update the remaining packs and registries.

- Include the `$LOGTALKPACKS` directory (or the default `~/logtalk_packs` directory) on your regular backups.

## Installing Prolog packs

This tool can also be used to install Prolog packs that don’t use Logtalk. After installing a `pl_pack` Prolog pack from a `pl_reg` registry, it can be found in the `$LOGTALKPACKS/packs/pl_reg/pl_pack` directory. When the `LOGTALKPACKS` environment variable is not defined, the pack directory is by default `~/logtalk_packs/packs/pl_reg/pl_pack`.

Different Prolog systems provide different solutions for locating Prolog code. For example, several Prolog systems adopted the Quintus Prolog `file_search_path/2` hook predicate. For these systems, a solution could be to add a fact to this predicate for each installed Prolog pack. For example, assuming a `pl_pack` Prolog pack:

    :- multifile(file_search_path/2).
    :- dynamic(file_search_path/2).

    file_search_path(library, '$LOGTALKPACKS/packs/pl_pack').

If the Prolog system also supports reading an initialization file at startup, the above definition could be added there.

## Help with warnings

Load the `tutor` tool to get help with selected warnings printed by the `packs` tool.

## Known issues

Using the `verbose(true)` option on Windows systems may not provide the shell commands output depending on the backend.

On Windows systems, the reset, delete, and uninstall predicates may fail to delete all affected folders and files due to a operating-system bug. Depending on the backend, this bug may cause some of the tests to fail. For details on this bug, see:

https://github.com/microsoft/terminal/issues/309

The workaround is to use the Windows File Explorer to delete the leftover folders and files.

When using Ciao Prolog 1.20.0, a workaround is used for this system non-standard support for multifile predicates.

When using GNU Prolog 1.5.0 as the backend on Windows, you may get an error on `directory_files/2` calls. For details and a workaround, see:

https://github.com/didoudiaz/gprolog/issues/4

This issue is fixed in the latest GNU Prolog git version.

Using SICStus Prolog as the backend on Windows doesn’t currently work in version 4.7.0 and earlier versions. The underlying issues are fixed in the SICStus Prolog 4.7.1 version.

XSB has an odd bug (likely in its parser) when reading files that may cause a pack installed version to be reported as the `end_of_file` atom.

Some tests fail on Windows when using ECLiPSe or XSB due to file path representation issues.