GNU Stow

GNU Stow

GNU Stow is a symlink manager that helps organize software installed from source into different directories and symlink them into a common location for easy access. It keeps different versions in their own self-contained trees without having to recompile any binaries.
Os & Utilities File Management
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GNU Stow alternatives ➤

GNU Stow: Symlink Manager

GNU Stow is a symlink manager that helps organize software installed from source into different directories and symlink them into a common location for easy access. It keeps different versions in their own self-contained trees without having to recompile any binaries.

What is GNU Stow?

GNU Stow is a free, open-source symlink manager software that helps organize programs installed from source code into separate directories, while symlinking their binaries into standard locations in the file system hierarchy. This allows multiple versions of the same software to coexist in separate locations, without interfering with each other.

Some key features and benefits of GNU Stow include:

  • Keeps different versions of software in their own self-contained directories or "stow-away" folders, avoiding clutter in /usr/local
  • Symlinks binaries, man pages, info files, etc. into standard locations like /usr/local/bin without having to recompile anything
  • Easy to install new versions in parallel and switch between them by manipulating the symlinks
  • Helps maintain a clean filesystem hierarchy and organization for software installed from source
  • Lightweight and requires practically no extra disk space
  • Works well in combination with package managers that handle software installed from binaries

Overall, GNU Stow is a useful utility for Linux/Unix systems to organize bespoke software builds from source in a structured and non-intrusive manner, while providing a consistent view of the file system for the user.

GNU Stow Features

Features

  1. Manages symbolic links
  2. Organizes software installed from source code into different directories
  3. Symlinks software into a common location for easy access
  4. Keeps different versions of software in separate directories without recompiling binaries

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Helps avoid clutter by separating software versions

Makes it easy to switch between software versions

Allows testing new versions without overwriting current installs

Simplifies access to commonly used software

Cons

Can be complex for new users

Requires some knowledge of symlinks

Not compatible with all software installation methods

May require adjusting scripts/config files when switching versions

Official Links

Official Website
https://www.gnu.org/software/stow/

The Best GNU Stow Alternatives

Top Os & Utilities and File Management and other similar apps like GNU Stow

Here are some alternatives to GNU Stow:

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