RPM, the popular package management system for Linux distributions, has just released a major update with version 4.20. This new release brings a host of new features and improvements, but perhaps the most significant is the introduction of declarative build systems.

Declarative build systems are a way of defining the build process for a software package using a high-level description, rather than a series of manual steps. This can make it easier to understand and reproduce the build process, as well as potentially making it easier to automate and optimize.

With RPM 4.20, developers can now define the build process for their packages using a new declarative syntax. This allows them to specify dependencies, build options, and other configuration details in a clear and concise way. This can make it easier to share and collaborate on build configurations, as well as potentially speeding up the build process by allowing RPM to make more intelligent decisions about how to build a package.

In addition to the introduction of declarative build systems, RPM 4.20 also includes a number of other improvements and bug fixes. These include better support for reproducible builds, improved error handling, and greater flexibility in how packages are built and installed.

Overall, RPM 4.20 represents a significant step forward for the RPM package management system. The introduction of declarative build systems promises to make it easier for developers to build and distribute software packages, while also potentially improving the reliability and reproducibility of those builds. If you’re a developer or system administrator working with RPM-based distributions, be sure to check out RPM 4.20 and see how it can help streamline your workflow.