Installing and Removing Software Using RPM

In addition to queries, rpm performs package installation, updating, and removal. As well as copying files to the correct locations (or deleting them), rpm checks file integrity, sets permissions, backs up configuration files, and executes scripts within the affected package and other packages that have asked to be notified of changes (trigger scripts). These scripts can in turn start or stop services, modify configuration files, or perform other operations.

How Do I Do That?

rpm provides four options for installing, upgrading, and removing software:

-i package_file

Installs a package that is not currently installed.

-U package_file

Upgrades an existing package version, or installs the package if it is not currently installed.

-F package_file

Freshens an existing installation of the package by upgrading the version. If the package is not currently installed, it remains uninstalled.

-e package

Erases the installed package. Unlike the other options, -e requires a package name (httpd), not a package filename (httpd-2.0.54-10.i386.rpm).

All of these operations must be performed as the root user (unlike queries, which may be performed by anyone). This prevents unwanted software, such as viruses and worms, from being installed in the normal course of activities.

To perform a basic installation of a package, use the -i option and supply the name of a package file:

# rpm -i 
               
                  httpd-2.0.54-10.i386.rpm
               

To upgrade the package:

# rpm -U 
               
                  httpd-2.0.62-3.i386.rpm ...

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