Adam Williamson wrote: > > Though, about the problem: are you sure it can't be plural? I > > want to mean "installation of software packages". > > Any > other opinions from native speakers?
Guillaume was correct. "Software Package(s) Installation" is an example of a compound noun (Software Package(s) being used as an adjective for another noun (Installation). Purists can argue that this is not a valid construct, but it is deemed generally acceptable, especially in IT. "Software Package Installation" describes the abstract notion of installing a software package - *any* software package. "Software Packages Installation" is the slightly less abstract notion of installing some set of software packages. Either one correctly describes what is happening here. Of the two, I'd probably choose the singular, but the plural doesn't sound clumsy or incorrect to my ear. An interesting experiment is to remove "Software" and try just "Package(s) Installation". While "Software Packages Installation" sounds OK to me, "Packages Installation" sounds borderline clumsy, and "Package Installation" sounds much better. Much ado about rien...
