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diff --git a/content/articles/pacman.md b/content/articles/pacman.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5a193d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/articles/pacman.md @@ -0,0 +1,96 @@ +{ + "title": "pacman", + "subtitle": "Arch Linux package manager explained for everyday users", + "aliases": [ + "/articles/pacman-essentials" + ] +} + +#### Introduction + +The program `pacman` is the package manager of the [Arch Linux][1] +distribution. It should be exclusively used to install, update and remove +software on an Arch Linux system. + +New Arch Linux users should be able to manage the software on their system in +most cases with an open terminal and this article. + +#### Full system update + +Use the following command to update all the software on an Arch Linux system. +This includes the operating system aswell as applications: + +``` +sudo pacman -Syu +``` + +If this fails because of errors related to signing keys and GPG it can be fixed +by running this command: + +``` +sudo pacman -Sy archlinux-keyring && sudo pacman -Su +``` + +This error can be avoided by updating the system regularly. + +#### Package search + +One can search for existing packages with this command: + +``` +pacman -Ss <keyword> +``` + +`<keyword>` should be replaced by keywords like `firefox`. Furthermore the +package search on the [Arch Linux homepage][1] in the upper right corner can be +used. + +The Arch Linux wiki contains also a long [list of applications][2] which is an +excellent place to search for needed programs by category. + +#### Package installation + +Installing a package is simple: + +``` +sudo pacman -S <package> +``` + +`<package>` should be replaced by the lower case package name found with the +package search (see above) like `firefox` or `gimp`. + +If this fails because the packages cannot be retrieved via the HTTP protocol +the error can be fixed by updating the whole system first as described above. + +#### Package removal + +The recommended command to remove a package is: + +``` +sudo pacman -Rs <package> +``` + +While `R` selects removal `s` is the recursive option. This additionally +removes packages which were needed for the selected package to work. + +The recursive option is smart enough to leave a dependency on the system if it +is needed by another explicitly installed package. + +#### Further documentation + +This page is just a little cheat sheet especially targeted at new Arch Linux +users. The following references point to the official documentation about +pacman: + +- The manual page of pacman: `man pacman` (exit with `q`) +- Arch Wiki: [pacman][3] +- Arch Wiki: [pacman/Tips and tricks][4] + +They should be consulted to get further information and should be trusted more +than this page if in conflict with its content. + + +[1]: https://archlinux.org/ +[2]: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/List_of_applications +[3]: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman +[4]: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman/Tips_and_tricks |