[Librem-5-dev] Packaging offline maps server for L5

[rinigus]

Hi,

I would like to get an advice on how to package properly offline maps
server - OSM Scout Server - for L5. Its a piece of software that allows
such map clients as Pure Maps to work in offline mode (show maps, search
locations, calculate routes, and other expected operations on maps). Its
also written in a way that allows it to be used with other map clients -
why not Gnome Maps, sports apps - and share the same data on device. The
clients just have to use documented API for that. As a result, users don't
need to download large offline datasets specific for some app, but can use
the same datasets in multiple applications.

What makes packaging situation a bit trickier is the fact that the server
requires some specific libraries and their versions. These specific
requirements are due to the used offline map data which has to match the
libraries. We are going to be sharing the same datasets as used on
Sailfish, L5, and Flathub-distributed version. So, all of the versions have
to use the same libs versions. In addition, I should be able to update all
of them within a reasonable amount of time when such updates are required
allowing me to update offline datasets and libraries simultaneously (+/-
1-2 days) to ensure as good service as possible.

Due to the time constraints on updates and bundled libs, I think there is
no point in going for full Debian packaging solution which would require
packaging as a part of Debian. But I can surely make a special DEB for L5
and bundle all libs under it. Advantage of this solution would be ability
to use systemd socket activation that is used currently to ensure seamless
integration with map clients. In this case, maybe someone can tell where
would I be expected to keep these bundled libs. On Sailfish, we were told
to use /usr/share/appname/lib . Not sure its recommended on Debian-based
distros.

Alternative would be to use Flatpak. Its by definition packages the
libraries with it, I have already all scripts written and the server
distributed via Flathub. In this case, I would need to add DBus activation
(systemd socket activation is not supported), but that maybe a good idea
anyway for covering requirements of desktop users.

I would prefer to package it as Flatpak, as it is expected to come to L5
and bundling of the libraries is not going against the common policies of
that format. However, would that be expected to work on launch of L5?
Server doesn't really require any fancy graphics as such - only has some Qt
QML GUI for maps datasets management and few settings.

Thoughts regarding it?

Best wishes,

Rinigus
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