Comparison of Packaging Solutions

Different Types of Packaging

Binary / Standalone

A binary or standalone package usually consists of a .zip or .tar.gz file that will first need to extracted.  After extraction, a binary or script is executed to run the application. 

Pros

• No additional software should need to be installed.
• Does not require any specific hardware support.
• Does not require internet access for installation. 
• Performance is great.
• Easiest to install.

Cons

• Specific binaries need to be created for each OS supported.
• No easy way of getting updates.
• Requires extra effort from software maintainers to put the standalone package together.

Installer Packages

Installer packages consist of platform specific packages that, when executed, install the application to a specific directory and also can run some post installation configuration.  File extensions typically are .exe or .msi for Windows and .deb or .rpm for linux. 

Pros

• Does not require any specific hardware support.
• Performance is great.
• Easily updated if configured to use a repository.
  
• Easy to install using native OS tools.

Cons

• May require extra software dependencies.
• Packages are specific to OS.
• Installation Requires internet Access.

Virtual Machine Image

Virtual machine images consist of a base operating system with the application preinstalled and preconfigured.  This is then distributed as a .ova or .vmdk files. 

Pros

• Does not require a specific base OS.
• Does not require internet for installation, as long as the VM software is installed previously.

Cons

Docker image

A docker images consists of virtual container containing a minimal OS and the application pre installed and preconfigured.  The most common form of distribution is in a source repository, or through Docker Hub.

Pros

Cons