Installing packages

andy753421 · 05-31-2004, 03:15 AM

ok so maybe this is a really stupid questiona but oh well, how do you install packages? ive been using slackware for a couple months now but i've never been able to figure this out

ive just compiled sources up untill now but its really starting to bother me not knowing how to do this....

rkef · 05-31-2004, 03:21 AM

Check this thread. Specifically, my post (post #8) gives a complete sequence (but always check any README or INSTALL files in case the author gives specific instructions).

Also, for upgrading via binary packages (official Slackware packages) I've found 'slackpkg' to be satisfactory.

andy753421 · 05-31-2004, 08:25 PM

no, i can install from sources great, ive done that with everything so far, i just want to know how to install .tgz things

AxelFendersson · 05-31-2004, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by andy753421
I just want to know how to install .tgz things

Assuming they're proper slack packages (not just gzipped tarballs of something else):

installpkg whatever.tgz

...and you're away! However, if you already have a version of that package installed and you're just upgrading to a new version, use:

upgradepkg whatever.tgz

If you aren't sure if there's a version installed or not, try upgradepkg, then installpkg.

sadatx · 05-31-2004, 09:14 PM

You can use the following.

installpkg packagename.tgz (installs)
upgradepkg packagename.tgz (upgrades)
removepkg packagename.tgz (removes)

You can might to use the -warn flag when using installpkg. This generates a report to the standard output about which files and directories would be removed or overwritten if you install the package, but do not actually install it.

rkef · 05-31-2004, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by andy753421
no, i can install from sources great, ive done that with everything so far, i just want to know how to install .tgz things

Ok, well my building method was one way to generate binary packages, which, as the others said, can be installed/upgraded/removed conveniently. I thought you were asking how to install things properly, from source. My bad

.

Compiling sources at random, without regard to management, can get ugly. Building your own packages is the best of both worlds. You can tweak/alter anything in the source, compile, and build a package which can be dealt with cleanly.

Check out the slackware book if you want more info. Specifically, Chapter 16.

HAND!