Re: [PLUG] What Does "Install" Really Mean

[LeRoy Cressy <ldc@lrcressy.com>]

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Jeb Bushell wrote:
> I am trying to use RPM to "install" the contents of a .rpm file on Redhat 9.  I understand the ins
> and outs of Windows installation fairly well but I have no idea how it works on Linux and I have
> been unable to Google up a satisfactory explanation. 
>
> If anyone could direct me to a high-level overview of software installation on Linux I'd be most
> grateful. I need to know, for example, where dlls are kept and how the OS references them.

Linux uses libraries which are kept in either
	/lib/
	/usr/lib/
	/usr/local/lib/

Linux uses a file hierachal structure where everything is put in a 
specific directory.  For instance:
/lib		libraries required for system along with kernel modules
/bin		binaries accessable to everyone
/sbin		system binaries for administration
/dev		devices like /dev/fd0 is a floppy
/var		variable  logs, web, and sql data is stored here
/root		the root user home directory
/home		all other users home directorys like /home/leroy/
/boot		Linux kernel and system map file
/etc		Configuration files
/opt		a new idea

The /usr/ directory has the same items except for dev, var, root, home,
and boot directories.  This is where most of your user software will be 
stored.  This system enables every user to have their own private 
directory where they can store their own configurations and files.  Also 
as an administrator you will find it easy to customize the configuration 
files for any application on your system.  They are all kept in /etc or 
/usr/etc.

The /usr/local directory tree is reserved for adding items that are not 
part of the distribution.  Like if you want to use Sun Microsystems Star 
office instead of Openoffice you can put it in the /usr/local directory 
tree.



> Also, having installed a package somewhere (I think I know where) I get the following from RPM:  
>
> rpm -e <pkg>
> error: package <pkg> is not installed
>
> rpm -ivh <pkg>
> Preparing ############################# [100%]
> Package <pkg> is already installed
>
> rpm -q <pkg>
> package is not installed
>
> Can anyone shed some light, please?
This web site can shed some light on your rpm problems since I use debian
http://rikers.org/rpmbook/node1.html

man rpm also might help
> TIA
>
> Jeb
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