How to Manage (Install / Update / Remove) various softwares / packages in RedHat or CentOS Linux ??

There are two methods or tools for package management in Red Hat or CentOS Linux.

• rpm (Redhat Pacakge Management) 

• Traditional tool for package installation

• Easy to use but does need to install all the package dependencies manually.  

Managing Packages using rpm

Package Query

a) Lists all installed packages

# rpm -qa 

b) Checks whether the given package is installed or not. Instead of <package name>, enter the name of the package you want to search.

# rpm -q <package name>

c) List all packages that matches the given pattern in their names

# rpm -qa <pattern>

d) List all files and directories contained in a package

# rpm -ql <package name>

e) List only documentation files of a package

# rpm -qd <package name>

f) List only configuration files of a package

# rpm -qc <package name>

g) To get a brief information about a package

#rpm -qi <package name>

h) Displays the name of the package that contains the given file

# rpm -qf <file name>

i) To get the dependencies required for a package

# rpm --requires <package name>

j) To get the name of the package that depends on the given package

# rpm --whatrequires <package name>

k) To get the version history of a package

# rpm --change-log <package name>

Installing / Upgrading / Removing packages using 'rpm'

a) Installing a package

# rpm -ivh <full package name>

b) Upgrading a package

# rpm -Fvh <full package file name>

c) Removing a package

# rpm -Uvh <full package file name>  (Removes the package with its dependencies)

 # rpm -e --nodeps <package name>

  (Removes the package ignoring dependencies)

Note:

•  -i    ----->   install only

•  -F   ----->   upgrade only

•  -U  ----->   upgrade or install

•  -v   ----->   verbose (show details)

•  -h   ----->   show installation progress in terms of hash (#) bar

•  --nodeps -----> ignores dependency check

• yum (Yellodog Updated Modified)

• Newer tool for software / package installation.

•  Resolves all packages dependencies automatically, no need for manual installation like in rpm.

Managing packages using 'yum'

Installing a package

# yum install <package name>

# yum -y install <package name> --> (automatic, no confirmation)

Upgrading a package

# yum update <package name>

# yum -y update <package name> --> (automatic, no confirmation)

Querying a package

# yum list <pacakge name>

   (To check whether the package is installed or not.)

Managing packages

# yum info <package name>

   (To view brief information about a package) 

Removing a package

# yum remove <package name>

   (To remove package along with its dependencies)

# yum -e --nodeps <package name> 

   (To remove package only) 

For whole system update

# yum update 

 Thank You :)