prun.md

% PRUN(1) Version n/a | Mariux Tools Documentation

NAME
====

**prun** - Run Mariux packages (reads 'Package RUN').

SYNOPSIS
========

| **prun package command** [COMMANDOPTION]...

DESCRIPTION
===========

Runs applications, scripting languages, compilers, etc., from a dedicated directory.

The main usage is to run software in a specific version, or to provide a given environment. See **EXAMPLES** below.

There are some advantages over so called 'virtual environments' and the like. Packages are immutable, once installed they never change, thereby increasing the chances that an old program/script will also run in a few years. The packages also use a standardized call procedure, independent of personal (un-)settings, thus an existing pipeline may be shared between different users.

The whole 'magic' behind **prun** is, that it transparently sets the PATH variable and possibly LD_LIBRARY_PATH for the actual call without spoiling the default environment.

EXAMPLES
========


**Run R-Studio with a brand new R version**

: prun R-4.1.0-0 rstudio

**Use an ancient python to run an unmaintained script**

: prun python-2.7.13-2 /project/cruft/bin/old_script.py

**Run nvidia nvcc from cuda-11.3 and list supported architectures**

: prun cuda-11.3 nvcc --list-gpu-code

**Start a plain shell with gcc-10.2 in the PATH**

:  prun gcc-10.2.0-0 bash --norc

**Or just show the manual page for gcc-10.2**

:  prun gcc-10.2.0-0 man gcc

**Create an own alias for a scripting language**

: alias myperl='prun perl-5.18.2-0 perl'

**Use prun in a script shebang**

: `#! /usr/bin/prun perl-5.18.2-0 perl`

**Alternatively using source**

:  An alternative way to set a distinct environment is to source the profile from /pkg/FooBar-12.3.
But beware, such a source command should **never** make it into the **\~/.bashrc** - in the worst case it may inhibit your login!
(N.b. the alias method mentioned above is safe)

\ 
: source /pkg/gcc-10.2.0-0/profile


FILES
=====

*/package/FOO* or */pkg/BAR*

:   Mountpoint (top directory) for selected package.

*/package/FOO/profile* or */pkg/BAR/profile*

:   Contains settings for PATH, libraries, and possibly other stuff.

*/usr/local/package/lib/\**

:   Primary wrappers for individual packages.

*/usr/local/package/admin/config*

:   Definition of binaries provided and optional shortcuts.


BUGS
====

See GitHub Issues: <https://github.molgen.mpg.de/mariux64/mxtools>

SEE ALSO
========

**ptype(1)**, **pman(1)**, **bash(1)**, **ld.so(8)**