Ports and packages

Are binary packages for OpenDarwin available?

Yes, binary packages are available for the base system and as add-on packages built from DarwinPorts.

How do I access the available packages?

OpenDarwin uses yum as a tool to install and manage binary packages. The available repositories are explained on this page about yum.

Which packaging format does OpenDarwin use?

Currently OpenDarwin uses the rpm format.

Where can I get third-party software for Darwin, and is there anything like the FreeBSD Ports Collection?

DarwinPorts provides an easy way to install various open-source software products on Darwin (and other operating systems). It is similar in many ways to the FreeBSD Ports Collection. At the time of writing, it contains well over a thousand packages.

You might also like to take a look at Fink, which is based on dpkg and apt-get.