PC-BSD

Welcome to the PC-BSD Development gateway! In PC-BSD we have two main areas of development: System and PBI development.

System Development

Most users can help us by testing pre-release builds of PC-BSD and reporting problem. Users who are interesting this will need to signup on the Testing Mailing List to receive notification of new ISOs / features for testing. 

Programmers and Developers who want to help improve the PC-BSD codebase are also welcome! If you would like to take part in core development, you can either:

• Signup and submit code via the Developers Mailing List
• Watch the list of modifications in the SVN Commits Mailing List
• Browse through the Development Wiki
• Get in touch with a member of the System Developer Team
• Download the PC-BSD source from Subversion
  

PBI Development

One of the main features of PC-BSD is its unique PBI package management system. As such, the project can always use the help of talented individuals to assist in creating new PBIs for PC-BSD users to install and enjoy. There are currently two methods of PBI Creation:

Converting a FreeBSD Port into a PBI file

Most Open-Source applications area already apart of the FreeBSD Ports tree. PC-BSD offers easy to use software which allows building these ports in a "clean" environment, and converting the finished port into a PBI file. This is the prefered method of creating a PBI, as it allows us to add the module to our subversion server, and build it automatically each time the respective FreeBSD port is updated. Developers are encouraged to contact us via the PBI Developer mailing list to submit modules or fixes to existing modules. 

• Download the PBI Builder software (Module Creator)
  
• Information about the PBI Build Server
• Discuss or submit code on the PBI Developer Mailing List
• View PBI Builder modules in Subversion

Building a PBI from a binary application NOT in the ports tree

In addition to the method above, developers are also able to build PBI files using binaries or closed source programs directly via an easy to use GUI interface. Once a PBI is ready for usage please contact us via the PBI Dev mailing list for instructions on having it added to the PBI Directory database.

• Download the PBI Creator GUI Application
  
• Read the PBI developer handbook
• Browse through the PBI Development forum
• Read the PBI tutorial FAQ's
  
• Read the PBI developer FAQ's
• Discuss with other PBI developers on the PBI-Dev mailing list

Good luck and thanks for your support!

The Development team.