.PD 1
.TP
.BR packages
-This file serves two purposes. The first is to mask out specific
-packages/versions on a per\-profile basis. The second is to provide the
-list of packages that compose the special \fIsystem\fR set.
+Provides the list of packages that compose the special \fIsystem\fR set.
.I Format:
.nf
\- comments begin with #
-\- one DEPEND atom per line of what to mask OUT
+\- one DEPEND atom per line
\- packages to be added to the system set begin with a *
.fi
.I Note:
.I Example:
.nf
# i am a comment !
-# only allow versions of glibc less than 2.3
-<sys\-libs/glibc\-2.3
-# add any version of bash to the system set
+# pull in a version of glibc less than 2.3
+*<sys\-libs/glibc\-2.3
+# pull in any version of bash
*app\-shells/bash
-# only allow versions of readline earlier than 4.2
-# and add it to the system set
+# pull in a version of readline earlier than 4.2
*<sys\-libs/readline\-4.2
.fi
.TP