1. Adding and Removing Software

1. Adding and Removing Software
Prev	Chapter 5. Package Management	Next

	Adding Extra Media on First Launch
	When you launch this tool for the first time, you are prompted to add new official installation media. That will give you access, over the Internet, to many more packages than those that could fit in your CD or DVD. Add them if you have a fast Internet link.

When launching Rpmdrake you have to wait a few seconds while the package databases are scanned. Then you are presented with Rpmdrake's main interface.

Figure 5.2. Rpmdrake Interface

Package Set. Use this pulldown list to select the types of package to be displayed: all of them (installed or not); only installed ones (to be uninstalled); only uninstalled ones (to be installed); and a few options for updated packages (all, security fixes, bug fixes, normal updates). Each time a package set is selected, the Categories Tree is rebuilt to display matching packages only.

Package Search. If you are not sure about a package name, use this facility to search for it. Type the string to be searched for, select the criteria using the pulldown list, and click Search. You can search for package names (in names), package descriptions (in descriptions) and the package providing a given file (in file names).

	Note
	If your software media repositories are configured to use the synthesized package lists (the summary `synthesis` files, not the full `hdlist` ones) you will not be able to look for the package providing a given file. You will only be able to search for package names and descriptions.

Categories Tree. To ease management, packages are classified into categories (Networking, Office, Games, Development, Graphics, etc.). Open a category to display packages which match the current criteria set using Package Set and Package Search.

Package List. Where currently matching packages (Set, Category and Search Criteria) are displayed. This is where you select packages to be installed, removed and upgraded.

Package Details. Displays details about the currently selected package in the Package List.

Procedure 5.1. Actions on Packages

Limit List of Packages Displayed

Use the Package Set pulldown list, the Categories Tree and, optionally, the Package Search facility to browse for packages to be installed, removed or updated.
Select Packages

In the Packages List, select packages to be installed, removed or updated. If the checkbox by the package name is empty, it means that the package can be installed or upgraded, once selected it will be marked with the icon. If the checkbox by the package name has the icon, it means the package is already installed, select it for removal and it will be marked with the icon.
Apply Changes

Once you are satisfied with your choices, click on Apply to perform the actual install, remove and upgrade of these packages. A new window appears, where you can see the progress of actions being taken. If you prefer to leave without doing anything, you can just click on Quit.

Handling Dependencies

It may happen that you select a package which requires dependencies (additional libraries or another tool) or which is a dependency of other packages. In this case Rpmdrake displays an information window allowing you to choose whether to accept the selected dependencies, to Cancel the operation, or to get More info on the operation (Figure 5.3, “Dependency Alert Box”).

Figure 5.3. Dependency Alert Box

Alternative Dependencies. You may also want to install a package which requires dependencies, and various packages are capable of providing that dependency. The list of alternatives is then presented (Figure 5.4, “Alternative Packages”). You may read the additional information presented by clicking the Info... button to help you choose the best alternative.

Figure 5.4. Alternative Packages

	Note
	Due to dependencies, the disk space required by the selected packages might be greater than the size required by the chosen package by itself.