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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_distribution

Software distribution is the process of delivering software to the end user.^[1]

A distro is a collection of software components built, assembled and configured so that it can essentially be used "as is". It is often the closest thing to turnkey form of free software. A distro may take the form of a binary distribution, with an executable installer which can be downloaded from the Internet. Examples range from whole operating system distributions to server and interpreter distributions (for example WAMP installers). Software distribution can also refer to careware and donateware.

In recent years, the term has come to refer to nearly any "finished" software (i.e. something that is more or less ready for its intended use, whether as a complete system or a component of a larger system) that is assembled primarily from open source components.

Examples of distros

Examples of software distributions include BSD-based distros (such as FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and DragonflyBSD) and Linux-based distros (such as openSUSE, Debian, and Fedora).

Distro support

Technical support is a key issue for end-users of distributions, since the distribution itself is typically free and may not be "owned" in a commercial sense by a vendor. Depending on the distribution, support may be provided by a commercial support vendor, the developers who created the distribution or by the user community itself.

Free software distribution tools

GNU Autotools are widely used for which consist of source files written in C++ and the C programming language, but are not limited to these.

Commercial software distribution tools

• LANDesk Management Suite provides software distribution for Windows, OS X, and Linux.
• Dell KACE provides remote administration, software distribution, and software installation to any Windows, Mac, or Linux desktop or server.

Distribution tools for mobile devices

Distribution of software to small mobile devices such as phones, PDAs and other hand-held terminals is a particular challenge due to their inconsistent connection to the Internet. Some tools that cater to this category of devices are:

• Sybase iAnywhere Afaria

References

1. Beyond computing and connectivity: Where is communications technology taking US? ; Proceedings of the 4th Annual Connectivity and Technology Symposium ; January 1993, Center for Connectivity & Data Bases, West Chester University. DIANE Publishing. 1993. ISBN 978-1-56806-279-2. 

v t e Software distribution
Licenses	Beerware Floating licensing Free and open-source Free Open source Freely redistributable License-free Proprietary Public domain Source-available
Compensation models	Adware Commercial software Retail software Crippleware Crowdfunding Freemium Freeware Pay what you want Careware Donationware Open-core model Postcardware Shareware Nagware Trialware
Delivery methods	Digital distribution File sharing On-premises Pre-installed Product bundling Retail software Sneakernet Software as a service
Deceptive and/or illicit	Unwanted software bundling Malware Spyware Trojan horse Worm Ransomware Scareware Shovelware Vaporware list
Software release life cycle	Abandonware End-of-life Long-term support Software maintenance Software maintainer Software publisher
Copy protection	Digital rights management Software protection dongle License manager Product activation Product key Software copyright Software license server Software patent Torrent poisoning
v t e Digital distribution platforms
App store Cloud gaming Content delivery network Digital library Online game store Over-the-air update Package manager Software distribution Streaming media
Active	Personal computers Amazon Digital Game Store Battle.net Big Fish Games Chrome Web Store Digital River Direct2Drive Discord Discover DMM Games Epic Games Store GameHouse GamersGate Gamesplanet Game Jolt GNOME Software GOG.com Humble Store itch.io MacGameStore MacUpdate Mac App Store Microsoft Store MSN Games Origin Pogo.com Pokki PureOS Software Center Robot Cache Snap Store Steam Ubisoft Connect WeGame WildTangent Consoles Microsoft Store Nintendo eShop PlayStation Store Xbox Games Store Mobile apps Amazon Appstore Apple App Store Appland Aptoide Cafe Bazaar Cydia F-Droid Galaxy Store GetJar Google Play Huawei AppGallery MiKandi OpenStore PureOS Software Center SlideME Arcade ALL.Net E-Amusement NESiCAxLive
Defunct	Allmyapps BlackBerry World Club Nokia Desura Download! GameAgent GameShadow GameTap Games for Windows Marketplace Handango Impulse Intel AppUp Kartridge Kazaa N-Gage Nokia Store Opera Mobile Store PlayNow Arena Stardock Central Triton Ubuntu App Store Ubuntu Software Center Vodafone live! Wii Shop Channel Windows Marketplace Windows Marketplace for Mobile Windows Phone Store Xbox Live Arcade Yahoo! Games Zune Marketplace
Category  Portal

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Links

See also

• Installation

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Software_distribution

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Software distribution.

The main article for this category is Software distribution.

Software not in the Public domain is copyright protected. The use and distribution of copyright protected software is governed by software licenses.

Subcategories``ёёё]]]

`0-9`A`B`C`D

• Software Deployment

`E`F

` Free software distributions (2 C, 23 P)

`G

` Gateway/routing/firewall distribution (24 P)

`H`I`J`K`L`M`N`O`P

`Package management systems (7 C, 15 P)

• Software Distribution Platforms

`Q`R`S

`Software delivery methods (6 P)

` Software licenses (5 C, 68 P)

`T`U

`Uninstallers for MacOS (4 P)

Uninstallers for Windows (7 P)

Usage share (8 P)

`V`W`X`Y`Z

Index

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`A

` Abandonware

Adobe Marketing Cloud

Amazon Machine Image

Ansible (software)

Apache Brooklyn

AppImage

Computer appliance

Software appliance

Virtual appliance

Application directory

Application streaming

Application strings manager

AspectJ

`B

` Binary delta compression

Black Legend (software publisher)

`C

` Code on demand

Commercial software

Conda (package manager)

Covermount

`D

` Dual format

`E

` Eclipse Buckminster

Electronic AppWrapper

`F

` Flatpak

`G

` GingerMaster

`H

` HEAT LANrev

Hybrid SaaS

`I

` Ikee

Intellectual property brokering

`L

` Landscape (software)

LitwareHR

Logging as a service

Lola.com

`M

` M23 software distribution system

Microsoft Intune

`N

` Numecent

`O

` On-premises software

OpenSaaS

Operation: Bot Roast

Opsi

`P

` Personal Package Archive

Package manager

Post open source

Potentially unwanted program

Pre-installed software

Product bundling

Software publisher

`R

` Package development process

Software repository

Retail software

Rolling distribution

Rolling release

Rudder (software)

`S

` Self-service software

Self-service software vendors

Setapp

Shedun

Shovelware

Snappy (package manager)

Software as a Product

Software as a service

Software distribution

Software manufacturing

List of software package management systems

Software propagation

Software remastering

Superdistribution

`T

` Total Software Deployment

TradeCard

`V

` Velocify

`X

` XCOPY deployment

`Z

` Zero Install

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