Introducing Pybombs tool in 'useful features'

[deb1206]

One of the feature that we could consider installing or making users aware about is about PyBombs (Python Build Overlay Managed Bundle System). The wiki page on the GNU Radio website explains its features, but it could still be handy if we keep an “useful features” page on our interface that enlists different quick and handy features that users can install to be able to take advantage of apps that are built to make interaction with the GNU system a lot easier and interesting. PyBombs is referred to as a “package management system” (bhilburn.org) and although GNU will still hold good without this bomb (as the GNU wiki page states) it’s still very much a favored tool, is simple and easy to install, and would make an ideal addition to the list of handy features. PyBombs can mix, match, and install packages and helps the user work from source. With aid of a Python interpreter, PyBombs can “download, install, and compile” (GNU Radio blog) packages wherever needed. Some of the features that this add-on includes are package recipes, dependency checking & resolving, automated build system, and management of available & installed packages. (bhilburn.org) It makes working with multiple software packages a lot easier. The tool helps in the works around GNU Radio installs, and installing all associated dependencies, taking into account problems like version control, and installing and maintaining the out-of-tree modules. It also is platform independent and adheres to a basic set of commands making it more user-friendly to adopt. PyBombs is an all-in-one package system that is quite flexible depending upon the user’s needs. The component file can be necessarily modified and tailored to due needs. Configuring out out-of-tree modules, what are the ones that exist, and which are specifically needed is all taken into account with PyBombs. Although this feature is still in beta version, its considered to be a valuable tool in the GNU Radio community and brings in a lot of handy features together and is a one stop installation of GNU Radio and its dependencies.

[Electrocute]

Make sure to update kali linux before following the directions in the https://github.com/gnuradio/pybombs readme installation and quickstart. Otherwise you may have issues with linking back to current kali linux configuration settings. Also, installation took my computer a very long time, so maybe let it run overnight

[deb1206]

PyBombs is a handy tool that assists in GNURadio installation, out-of-tree modules and some software packages, from sources or binaries. PyBombs converts the cumbersome job of compiling multiple software packages into a one-time package installation that handles the behind-the-scene works. As the GNURadio blog quotes “ It will automatically perform tasks such as installing dependencies, fetching correct source packages, configuring them with the correct arguments, building and installing them, keeping track of dependencies,” etc. $ sudo pip install pybombs command installs PyBombs (which can be a lengthy process GNURadio forums), it then needs to be initialized after which a directory named prefix is created to store all installations. In the last and final step PyBombs installs GNURadio along with gr-osmosdr and all related dependencies into the prefix directory. PyBombs is flexible and is platform independent and adheres to a basic set of commands making it more user-friendly to adopt.PyBombs natively supports platforms like Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Gentoo, CentOS ,Mac OS X, and FreeBSD, although Windows support is still a problem. From the look of it, users have mentioned running into user installation issues for PyBombs and had to scrap and reinstall again, but as with any other software tool, forums exist to provide help and one is bound to find solutions with time. Once installed, PyBombs has proved itself to be a very valuable tool bringing in a lot of handy features together and is a one stop installation of GNU Radio and its dependencies.