Here’s a detailed tutorial on packaging artifacts, covering different packaging types (Application, System, and Mobile Packaging) and best practices.
📦 Tutorial: Packaging Artifacts in Software Development
✅ What is Packaging?
Packaging is the process of taking your compiled code, resources, and dependencies and wrapping them into a distributable format (called an artifact). These artifacts can then be deployed, installed, or shared across environments.
1️⃣ Application Packaging
Application packaging is used to package web and server-side applications into deployable formats.
🔹 Common Types:
- ZIP/TAR.GZ – Generic compressed packages containing app code and resources.
- WAR (Web Application Archive) – Used in Java-based web applications (e.g., deployed on Tomcat/JBoss).
- DLL (Dynamic Link Library) – Windows-based libraries used in .NET applications.
🔹 How to Package:
- Compile the code
- Example (Java):
mvn clean package
- Output:
myapp.war
ormyapp.jar
- Example (Java):
- Bundle dependencies
- Include configuration files, static resources, and third-party libraries.
- Compress (ZIP/TAR)
- Example:
zip -r myapp.zip ./build
- Example:
🔹 Best Practices:
- Version your packages (
myapp-1.0.0.war
). - Include environment-specific configs separately.
- Automate packaging with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab, Azure Pipelines).
2️⃣ System Packaging
System packaging creates installer files for desktop/server OS platforms.
🔹 Common Types:
- EXE / MSI – Windows executables/installers.
- DMG – macOS disk image.
- DEB / RPM – Linux packages for Debian and RedHat-based systems.
🔹 How to Package:
- Windows (MSI/EXE):
- Use tools like WiX Toolset, Inno Setup, or Visual Studio Installer.
- Example (WiX):
candle installer.wxs light installer.wixobj -o myapp.msi
- Linux (DEB/RPM):
- Use
dpkg
orrpmbuild
. - Example (Debian):
dpkg-deb --build myapp-debian myapp.deb
- Use
- macOS (DMG):
- Use
hdiutil
:hdiutil create -volname MyApp -srcfolder ./build myapp.dmg
- Use
🔹 Best Practices:
- Include uninstallers.
- Digitally sign packages for security.
- Provide versioned changelogs.
3️⃣ Mobile Packaging
Mobile packaging generates app install files for Android and iOS platforms.
🔹 Common Types:
- APK – Android application package.
- AAB – Android App Bundle (Google Play preferred).
- IPA – iOS app archive.
🔹 How to Package:
- Android (APK/AAB):
- Example (Gradle):
./gradlew assembleRelease
- Output:
app-release.apk
orapp-release.aab
- Example (Gradle):
- iOS (IPA):
- Use Xcode or command-line tools:
xcodebuild -scheme MyApp archive -archivePath MyApp.xcarchive xcodebuild -exportArchive -archivePath MyApp.xcarchive -exportPath MyApp.ipa
- Use Xcode or command-line tools:
🔹 Best Practices:
- Use proper signing keys (Debug vs. Release).
- Optimize package size with minification and asset compression.
- Automate builds using CI/CD (Fastlane, GitHub Actions, Bitrise).
4️⃣ Packaging Workflow in CI/CD
- Build → Package → Store Artifact → Deploy
- Use artifact repositories like:
- JFrog Artifactory
- Nexus Repository
- AWS CodeArtifact
📌 Summary
- Application Packaging: For web and backend apps (
.zip
,.war
,.dll
). - System Packaging: For OS installers (
.exe
,.msi
,.dmg
,.deb
,.rpm
). - Mobile Packaging: For mobile apps (
.apk
,.aab
,.ipa
).
I’m a DevOps/SRE/DevSecOps/Cloud Expert passionate about sharing knowledge and experiences. I have worked at Cotocus. I share tech blog at DevOps School, travel stories at Holiday Landmark, stock market tips at Stocks Mantra, health and fitness guidance at My Medic Plus, product reviews at TrueReviewNow , and SEO strategies at Wizbrand.
Do you want to learn Quantum Computing?
Please find my social handles as below;
Rajesh Kumar Personal Website
Rajesh Kumar at YOUTUBE
Rajesh Kumar at INSTAGRAM
Rajesh Kumar at X
Rajesh Kumar at FACEBOOK
Rajesh Kumar at LINKEDIN
Rajesh Kumar at WIZBRAND