4 Definitions

In this document, the following definitions are used:

distribution server

A server from which release tarballs are distributed. Usually, it uses HTTPS, HTTP, or anonymous FTP. Examples of distribution servers are: ftp.gnu.org, alpha.gnu.org, or download.gnu.org.ua.

distribution directory

A directory on the distribution server from which release tarballs are available for download.

upload server

A server that accepts uploaded files, verifies and authorizes the upload, and makes release tarballs available from the distribution server. An example of upload servers is ‘ftp-upload.gnu.org’. An upload server may be combined with the distribution one, as is the case with ‘download.gnu.org.ua’.

upload directory

A directory on upload server where files can be uploaded.

destination

A URL specifying the upload server, upload directory and, destination directory.

release tarball

A tar archive to be made available from the distribution server.

tarball signature

A detached PGP signature of the release tarball as described in FTP Upload Release File Triplet in Information for Maintainers of GNU Software.

directive file

A clearsigned plaintext file describing the upload. This file contains instructions for the upload server on what to do with the uploaded files. See FTP Upload Directive File in Information for Maintainers of GNU Software, for a detailed description.

triplet

A set of three files as defined in FTP Upload Release File Triplet in Information for Maintainers of GNU Software: tarball, detached tarball signature, and clearsigned directive file. file.