The rpm command is a powerful package management tool used in RPM-based Linux distributions like Red Hat, CentOS, Fedora, and openSUSE. It allows users to install, update, verify, query, and remove software packages.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various rpm commands with practical examples to help you efficiently manage your system’s software packages.

Installing RPM Packages

The rpm -i command is used to install RPM packages on your system. Below, we will look at some examples of using this command.

Example 1: Installing a Package

To install an RPM package, use the following command:

rpm -i package.rpm

Explanation:

  • -i stands for install.
  • package.rpm is the name of the RPM file you want to install.

Example 2: Installing a Package with Verbose Output

The -v and -h options can be added to make the output more informative and user-friendly.

rpm -ivh package.rpm

Explanation:

  • -v enables verbose mode, providing more detailed output.
  • -h displays hash marks (#) to show progress during installation.

Updating RPM Packages

To update an installed package, use the rpm -U command. This command can be used to either install a new version or replace an older version of the package.

Example 1: Basic Update Command

To update an existing package, use:

rpm -U package.rpm

Explanation:

  • -U stands for upgrade, which installs a new version if available or upgrades an existing version.

Example 2: Using the -F Flag to Update Only If Installed

The -F (freshen) option only upgrades a package if an older version is already installed:

rpm -F package.rpm

Explanation:

  • -F updates only if the package is already installed. It’s useful for applying updates without accidentally installing new packages.

Removing RPM Packages

To remove an installed package, use the rpm -e command.

Example 1: Basic Removal

To remove a package, use:

rpm -e package_name

Explanation:

  • -e stands for erase, which removes the specified package from the system.

Example 2: Removing a Package with Dependencies

If you want to remove a package without checking dependencies, use the –nodeps flag:

rpm -e --nodeps package_name

Explanation:

  • –nodeps forces removal without checking for package dependencies. Use this option with caution, as it can cause other packages to break.

Querying RPM Packages

The rpm -q command is used to query information about installed packages.

Example 1: Querying Whether a Package is Installed

To check if a package is installed:

rpm -q package_name

Example 2: Querying Package Details

To get detailed information about an installed package:

rpm -qi package_name

Example 3: Listing All Installed Packages

To list all installed packages:

rpm -qa

Example 4: Querying Files Provided by a Package

To list all files installed by a specific package, use:

rpm -ql package_name

Example 5: Finding the Package That Provides a Specific File

If you want to know which package owns a specific file:

rpm -qf /usr/bin/package_binary

Verifying RPM Packages

The rpm -V command verifies the integrity of installed packages, checking if any files have been altered since installation.

Example 1: Verifying a Specific Package

To verify an installed package:

rpm -V package_name

Conclusion

Understanding the rpm command is crucial for anyone managing RPM-based Linux distributions. It provides powerful and flexible options for installing, updating, removing, verifying, and querying software packages. Try exploring all available rpm command options on dedicated server hosting from Atlantic.Net!