What if ports are not present?

[hap0]

Reading the following:

Mail::Toaster - 03. install ports
"Step 3. Install Ports

On systems that have a port or package management system, it is often quite helpful to to use them. Many applications can be build from ports simply by setting their version to "port" in toaster-watcher.conf.

Support is included for FreeBSD and Darwin ports. Support for other port mechanisms can be added by coding a Platform.pm module that has methods for updating the ports tree and installing software packages."
http://www.tnpi.biz/internet/mail/toaster/install/ports.html" target="_blank"> http://www.tnpi.biz/internet/mail/toaster/install/ports.html

It is not really clear as to whether ports are required or what to do if they are not present... Are they required? Can you install without them?