Tagfile Install

What is a tagfile?

Tagfiles are text files found in each category directory that Slackware's installer uses to install, not install or ask for each package.

Where are the tagfiles found?

There is a single tagfile located in each of the sub-directories under /slackware/ on the Slackware install CD. Each tagfile lists the packages that are in that sub-directory and tells the Slackware installer to install, not install or ask about each package.

EXAMPLE-

slackware/
    |-- a
    |   +- blahblah.tgz
    |   +- tagfile
    |   +- u-blahblah.tgz
    |   \- etctera
    |
    |-- ap
    |   +- blahblah.tgz
    |   +- tagfile
    |   +- u-blahblah.tgz
    |   \- etctera
    |
    |-- etcetera

What are the tagfile options?

REC = Required, these packages are automatically installed.
ADD = Add, these packages are automatically installed.
OPT = Optional, the installer will stop and ask to install these packages.
SKP = Skip, these packages will NOT be installed.

How do I use them?

You use them to automate an install. You can either customize the Slackware Install discs with your own tagfiles or you can use custom tagfiles in another director (e.g. a floppy, memstick or whatever).

You need to edit each tagfile and make each package either a ADD (or REC) or a SKP. REMOVE ALL OPTs.

Customized Slackware install CD-
1) Obtain/make an ISO image(s) of the Slackware Install CD(s).
2) Using an ISO Editor program, edit each tagfile as you wish.
3) Burn new Install CDs from your modified ISO images.
4) During Slackware installation, choose "CUSTOM" as your install method.
5) Go get a beer because the install does the rest.

Non-customized Install CD method-
1) Create the /slackware package directory structure from the install CD(s) on to some media. Copy each tagfile over but DO NOT COPY THE PACKAGES.
2) Edit the tagfiles as you wish.
3) Before/during the Slackware installation, mount the media so the files are accessible.
4) During Slackware installation, choose "TAG PATH" as your install method and enter to path to your custom tagfiles (where you mounted tor media).
5) Go get a beer because the install does the rest.