[question] Export/import pre-built conan packages?

[fschoenm]

Is it possible to transfer pre-built conan packages in binary format without using conan_server?

Background: We have some conan packages with uncommon build requirements and would like to transfer them to colleagues that may not be in the same network and thus don't have access to our conan_server.

It seems to me as if the conan upload and download commands already have some of the required functionality in that they package everything together and upload/download it directly to/from a conan_server. We'd like to do the same thing but instead have direct access to the zipped packages to send them e.g. via network share or e-mail. I could imagine having a conan command to export/import a pre-built package instead (similar to how docker load and save work).

• [x] I've read the CONTRIBUTING guide.

[jgsogo]

Hi, @fschoenm

This is something we may consider but I'm afraid this cannot be a high priority right now.

Let me share with you other alternatives you can use meanwhile: 1) use Artifactory CE for C++, it is completely free and it will be easier to install and configure in a server with visibility to your colleagues, 2) send them the recipes and the profiles and, if sources are available, they can build the dependencies from sources 3) conan_server is nothing more than a filesystem storage, I'm almost sure you can copy the whole directory from one machine to another and it will work.

[fschoenm]

@jgsogo I understand. Unfortunately, due to our network infrastructure it is impossible to configure a server that is visible in all involved locations/networks. So far we follow the approach (2) by sharing the conan recipes, which is exactly the workflow I'd like to simplify.

I hope you can find time to add the feature in the future. Essentially, I'd like to use only the "packaging" part of the conan upload and download commands, without the network transfer.

[ngugcx]

I like this feature.