Software management

I know how important this is to learn how to add and remove software. If you just starting to learn Linux, you are probably better off if you start learning this package manager.

The package manager is not the only way of installing software; however it makes it much easier than remembering commands. From the graphical interface (desktop), you can double click on any rpm package, and GnoRPM or KPackage will be opened to assist you with the installation.

An RPM consists of three parts: the archive name, the archive version number and the version number of the package..

Thus 'cups-serial-1.1.16-0.4mdk.i586.rpm' means: 'this package contains an archive called 'cups-serial', version 1.1.16. It is the fourth revision of this particular package. 'mdk' denotes the distribution. A package version number has been implemented to keep track of fixes and upgrades.

It is very frequent in the rpm world that you will see packages that come in this form: package-name.src.rpm; this is the source code and is of no use to you if you don't know programming. It is provided for those who want to improve it or compile.

Installing packages using commands

If you prefer doing commands this is how it is done:

Example of install:

[root@server2 root]#rpm –ivh program-name.rpm

Options:

• pm -i package Installs a package
• rpm -e archive Erases or uninstalls the package
• rpm -U package Upgrades an installed package with newer version
• rpm -v package Verbose mode

Alternatively, you can achieve the installation

[root@server2 root]# rpm -i cups-serial-1.1.16-0.4mdk.i586.rpm

Example of uninstall

[root@server2 root]# rpm -e cups-serial-1.1.16-0.4mdk.i586.rpm

Other common uses:

rpm -i cups*

rpm -e *gtk*
error: package *gtk* is not installed

There are other special modifiers during an installation,

'--test' and '--verbose' (or '-v').

'--test' only executes the command to test the package.

'--verbose' ('-v') reports messages on the screen. This is useful in case of errors. It can be used together with the '--test' modifier. Adding another '-v' ('-vv') increases the level of verbosity even more.

--force   Same as using –replacepkgs,--replacefile, and oldpackage.

--nodeps     Used, generally on special situations, when you must install without dependencies.

--allfiles      Installs or upgrades all files in the package, regardless if they exist

Querying

root privileges are not a requirement for this:

If you are querying not-installed packages, add the '-p' option to the '-q' option.

For more information on rpm, type man rpm at your command line.

OK, OK …if you don't feel like typing; then run your control center and click on the package manager.