rpm

rpm is a powerful Package Manager, which can be used to build, install, query, verify, update, and erase individual software packages.

Documentation

• man 8 'rpm' [EN]

Parameters

General parameters

These options can be used in all the different modes.

-v, --verbose

Print verbose information - normally routine progress messages will be displayed.

-e PACKAGE, --erase PACKAGE

Remove installed the PACKAGE.

-q, --query

Query the rpm database.

-a, --all

Query all installed packages.

-f FILE, --file FILE

Query package owning FILE.

-U PACKAGE, --upgrade PACKAGE

This upgrades or installs the PACKAGE currently installed to a newer version.

-h, --hash

Print 50 hash marks as the package archive is unpacked. Use with -v for a nicer display.

Examples

Get all installed kernel versions

rpm -qa | grep 'kernel'

Get the package where the file is installed from

rpm -qf '/usr/sbin/rhn_register'
rhn-setup-0.4.17-8.el5

Force reinstallation of a package

rpm -e --justdb --nodeps 'xterm.x86_64'
yum install 'xterm.x86_64'

Force reinstallation of all installed packages

yum list installed | while read -r -a package; do
   rpm -e --justdb --nodeps "${package[0]}"
   yum install "${package[0]}"
done