Degree

Master of Science in Computer Science

Department

Department of Computer Science

School

School of Mathematics and Computer Science (SMCS)

Date of Submission

Fall 2024

Supervisor

Dr. Shahid Hussain, Associate Professor and Chairperson, Department of Computer Science

Keywords

Integrated Package Manager, cross-platform tool, unified command-line interface, package management, software lifecycle management, automation in package management, multi-platform compatibility, software engineering tools, developer productivity, system administration, heterogeneous environments, extensible frameworks, package manager abstraction, operational efficiency, open-source tools

Abstract

The ipm - Integrated Package Manager is a cross-platform tool designed to standardize and simplify the management of software packages across diverse operating systems and ecosystems. Modern development environments frequently demand the use of multiple package managers, such as apt, brew, dnf, and winget, etc., each with distinct commands and workflows. This fragmentation poses significant challenges for developers and system administrators, leading to inefficiencies, errors, and steep learning curves, particularly in cross-platform scenarios. This research project aims to address these challenges by designing and implementing a unified command-line interface (CLI) that abstracts the complexities of individual package managers. The ipm provides a consistent, extensible, and user-friendly interface for installing, updating, and removing software packages, regardless of the underlying system. Leveraging automation, configurability, and cross-platform compatibility, ipm seeks to enhance developer productivity, reduce operational overhead, and foster seamless integration in heterogeneous environments. The research methodology involves analyzing existing package management tools, identifying their commonalities and differences, and developing a framework that bridges these gaps. The project also explores the extensibility of ipm, enabling support for custom configurations and additional package managers as needed. The tool's design prioritizes ease of use, reliability, and scalability to cater to both novice users and seasoned professionals. By unifying package management processes, ipm offers a transformative solution to a long-standing problem, equipping the software engineering community with a robust tool to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency. This research contributes to the broader discourse on tool standardization and underscores the importance of simplifying software lifecycle management in increasingly complex technical landscapes.

Document Type

Restricted Access

Submission Type

Research Project

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