FreeBSD is bundled with a rich collection of system tools as part of the base system. In addition, FreeBSD provides two complementary technologies for installing third-party software: the FreeBSD Ports Collection, for installing from source, and packages, for installing from pre-built binaries. Either method may be used to install software from local media or from the network.
After reading this chapter, you will know:
The difference between binary packages and ports.
How to find third-party software that has been ported to FreeBSD.
How to manage binary packages using pkg.
How to build third-party software from source using the Ports Collection.
How to find the files installed with the application for post-installation configuration.
What to do if a software installation fails.
All FreeBSD documents are available for download at https://download.freebsd.org/ftp/doc/
Questions that are not answered by the
documentation may be
sent to <freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.org>.
Send questions about this document to <freebsd-doc@FreeBSD.org>.