Simple rpm install question

[joelmon]

Hey, I was attempting to install my first rpm

I saw no error messagse
and since I ONLY used
rpm -i file.rpm
I did not get a status report

however, after a few minutes nothing was printing I wondered what was going on

how do I know when it's done? It brings me back to the directory? Or just the fact no error messages showed? This confused me, I saw no prompt, typed enter, and got
>H or whatever disgusting character 'enter' becomes

the point is I had to disconnect and found it didn't install

(Do I have zlib? I tried which zlib, didn't find it, but a man page had it)

So, I guess when I try to install this zlib.rpm file again, just chill out and wait for a status report? Even though my options chose not to show a 'status' while it downloads?

Silly q, but to me silly q's are important to ask

Thanks

[ScRapZ_1]

You can use the -v switch to see the progress of installing the rpm. I like to use the line rpm -ivh foo.rpm (simply because thats the way I learn it, and old habits die hard)

...the -v stands for verbose, which gives a display of exactly what file is being processed at thr time.

...the -h stands for hash, (or something along those lines) and prints a progress bar made of hashes to see how far you are through the file.

Try that, see how it goes :D

TTFN,
ScRapZ_1 :p

[sarah31]

If you install I find that it is always best to use -ivh as it will give you a text progress and hash bar. Similarily, use -uvh when upgrading.

[ 01 December 2001: Message edited by: sarah31 ]

[bdg1983]

A little correction.

rpm -Uvh for upgrading

Lots of good stuff in the rpm manpage. man rpm

If you use the commandline to install rpm packages (rpm -i) then the install would be complete when you get the prompt back. If not, then you have a problem.

rpm -q packagename will tell you if the package is installed or not. Do not include the version.i386.rpm when doing a query.

For example...

rpm -ivh packagename-1.2.3.i386.rpm

rpm -q packagename

[joelmon]

Yeah, I didn't get the prompt back

but I received no errors

I guess that means its still installing, not that there is a problem, right?

Thanks

[bdg1983]

It depends how large the package is and your system.

I've never had one take more than a minute at the very most.

[bdg1983]

I always install rpm's using -Uvh whether it's a first time install or upgrading the package.

Also I do a test first to see if there are any dependencies or errors.

rpm -Uvh --test packagename etc.

and if successful (no errors), then

rpm -Uvh packagename etc.

[joelmon]

yeah, that made me a bit unsettled

No prompt, yet no error

By the way, I know (program) --VERSION shows me if a program exists

Should I check if this program I installed existed? If so, if it's rpm, how? I tried "Which/version" both of them and received nothing. But now I wonder if it's still there and I am wasting time with rpm

man zlib is set up on the raq 3, but 'which zlib' shows nothing. Crazy. Zlib is what I tried to install

thanks guys

[bdg1983]

rpm -q packagename (without the version # & i386.rpm)

man rpm has lots of good info.

[joelmon]

Thanks a lot. Yes, that command showed I do indeed have zlib. I couldn't find it for which/version command, so it's good to know how to do this, then.

And from now on, I'll make sure I tell it to display the status.

Thanks again guys for your help

[bdg1983]

Our pleasure. Don't forget to read the rpm manpage.

[joelmon]

I have. It's weird, I couldn't find where to determine if it's completely installed or not (When using *just* rpm -i package.rpm)

Since I saw no prompt, yet no errors, I panicked just a bit. But from now on, that won't take place.

By the way. Do you know if the cobalt sites ever offer a 'make' update? I can't seem to find it for raq 3. Does it come part of a certain update do you know? I ask as I need to update it, and the rpm wouldn't be excepted as it's version was 3+ and my rpm version 3.0.2 only takes rpm's where the main version # is 3 or less. That was odd

Just curious
Thanks

[bdg1983]

Sorry I wouldn't know.

It might be better if you post a new topic for that.