About spec files

A spec file is a file with instructions that the rpmbuild utility uses to build an RPM package.

The spec file provides necessary information to the build system by defining instructions in a series of sections. These sections are defined in the Preamble and the Body part of the spec file:

  • The Preamble section contains a series of metadata items that are used in the Body section.
  • The Body section represents the main part of the instructions.