I've used the apt family of package managers for some time and started using macports last year when I got a laptop. I'm at a bit of a loss at the best way to keep packages up-to-date though, and any other maintenance tasks I should be looking out for.
My question is, beside periodically using port upgrade on specific packages, what is the workflow for getting regular security and package updates?
I run the following
port -v sync # sync the latest definitions
port -v outdated # see what's outdated
port -v upgrade outdated # upgrade what's outdated
You can run
port -v selfupdate
every so once in a while to upgrade the MacPorts software itself. It's only infrequently updated, so I only do this when I know there is a new release.
Every week or two, I do
port selfupdate
port upgrade installed
This is basically the equivalent of
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade
if you are familiar with Debian/Ubuntu.
Sync and update if newer version of MacPorts itself is released.
sudo port -v -d selfupdate
List new packages
port outdated
Update all packages
sudo port -v upgrade outdated
After update old versions are not removed but set "inactiv". To clean up:
sudo port -v uninstall inactive
From time to time I run this. It cleans up downloads and left over files from previous builds.
sudo port clean -f --all "*"
The easiest way to find out what packages are out of date is to run port outdated. I'm not aware (and couldn't find when researching my facts) of an RSS feed or something similar to let you know when ports are updated. However you could run a script every week or something similar to check to see what is outdated and let you know.
Personally I check my port installations once a month or so manually.
