docs: add binary dependencies (#11505)

README.md

@@ -50,6 +50,24 @@ PHP versions 5.3.2 - 8.1 are still supported via the LTS releases of Composer (2
 run the installer or the `self-update` command the appropriate Composer version for your PHP
 should be automatically selected.
 
+#### Binary dependencies
+
+- `7z` (or `7zz`)
+- `unzip` (if `7z` is missing)
+- `gzip`
+- `tar`
+- `unrar`
+- `xz`
+- Git (`git`)
+- Mercurial (`hg`)
+- Fossil (`fossil`)
+- Perforce (`p4`)
+- Subversion (`svn`)
+
+It's important to note that the need for these binary dependencies may vary
+depending on individual use cases. However, for most users, only 2 dependencies
+are essential for Composer: `7z` (or `7zz` or `unzip`), and `git`.
+
 Authors
 -------
 

doc/00-intro.md

@@ -39,8 +39,14 @@ a legacy PHP version. A few sensitive php settings and compile flags are also
 required, but when using the installer you will be warned about any
 incompatibilities.
 
-To install packages from sources instead of plain zip archives, you will need
+Composer needs several supporting applications to work effectively, making the
-git, svn, fossil or hg depending on how the package is version-controlled.
+process of handling package dependencies more efficient. For decompressing
+files, Composer relies on tools like `7z` (or `7zz`), `gzip`, `tar`, `unrar`,
+`unzip` and `xz`. As for version control systems, Composer integrates seamlessly
+with Fossil, Git, Mercurial, Perforce and Subversion, thereby ensuring the
+application's smooth operation and management of library repositories. Before
+using Composer, ensure that these dependencies are correctly installed on your
+system.
 
 Composer is multi-platform and we strive to make it run equally well on Windows,
 Linux and macOS.