pacman db

n00b_E · 2002-11-10 07:42:10

Quite possibly im apt-cache spoiled.

Im a bit used to being able to search a list of packages by name
and glean alot of info (like dependencies) prior to installation.

While i dont mind making the adjustment, i would appreciate some direction on
how one finds the correct name of a package.

All I can tell so far is I if i run 'pacman -S package_name' it will attempt to install it if it exists.
(im rather embarrased at how many times i have typed pacman -S for a package i know exists
but get a "not found" error

i would like to be able to have some form of reference prior to typing endless variations to determine a package availablilty.

i did find the pacman.db, packages.txt and package list on the cd
is there something similar i could grep on the hardrive post-install

may lack of unix-command_line-prowess leave me at a loss
(dir *.ext /s is so useless on a *nix box)

thanks in advance,

-=- n00b_E -=-

scottro · 2002-11-10 16:09:23

For me at least, I've found the easiest way (though it seems a kludge perhaps, due to my own ignorance) is to go to /usr/abs and run

abs

(You have to have cvsup installed, first, which can be done with pacman)

This will give a list, divided into various categories, of all packages available, as well as some unofficial ones.

HTH
Scott

almostlucky · 2002-11-10 18:33:32

pacman -Ss <package>

scottro · 2002-11-10 19:00:28

Heh--missed that one in the man page--ironically enough, just missed it again, though I knew it was there now. Put it up towards the top for lazy folks like me.

All kidding aside, that's a nice feature, and works well. I wondered how it would do with something like telnet, where the package is actually netkit-telnet, but it works perfectly.
Thanks. (Although for me, my way of searching abs is actually more fun as then I can things I never thought of instalilng and say, hrmm, let me try that one)

Scott

n00b_E · 2002-11-11 04:55:45

Yes, i did miss the subtle value of pacman -Ss

Technically it's pacman -Ss <string> isnt it?
as there is no local list of packages
and the results are a bit of hit or miss arent they?
(try pacman -Ss irc -- i really dont think gaim is irc, is it?)

So, from what I can tell, the ascii files on the iso
do not exist post-install.
Rather, the db exists in the form of
two directories one named current, the other named local.

One can simply pipe a grep of the 'current' directory
to file, to get a list.
( I dont recall its' exact locaton or I would mention it)

This is not a big deal, its just a bit of a hurdle coming from
an rpm-deb orentation.

jk · 2002-11-11 15:35:45

and the results are a bit of hit or miss arent they?
(try pacman -Ss irc -- i really dont think gaim is irc, is it?)

Yes, gaim can do irc too, actually, i'm surprised by the good results pacman -Ss irc gives

n00b_E · 2002-11-11 16:28:13

I wasnt aware gaim was anything other than an AIM clone.

I should also add that I noticed the packages list on the webpage
can be sorted by name or package from a link on the right side of the page.
( I never noticed this before)
This feature does offset and render moot my point about knowing what im searching for
when i invoke pacman., provided I can get to the net.
(tho I still wish i had this locally from the comamand line)

Because it's relative, and because im not sure wherelse to post it.
I would like to suggest having the headings for name and category being hyperlinked to the sort
would add alot of fuctionality to the page.

apeiro · 2002-11-11 18:55:41

[jvinet@saturn jvinet]$ pacman -Ss irc
ircd 2.10.3p3-3
ircii-pana 1.0c19-2
irssi 0.8.5-2
naim 0.11.4-1
xchat 1.8.10-2
epic4 1.1.7-1

The --search option searches both package names and package descriptions.

Pacman databases are stored in /var/lib/pacman

jk · 2002-11-11 21:53:38

hmm...since it searches the package description...how much trouble would it be to also list the description in the search results? I think this for example would prevent users from thinking gaim is only an AIM clone

mordantly · 2002-11-11 22:01:51

careful now.. we wouldnt want to attack a person fur their lack of a known or unknown fact would we?? instead, apparantly the forumly correct way to put it would be somepin to the affect of:

this way, others will be able to more correctly identify the package in question

instead of:

I think this for example would prevent users from thinking gaim is only an AIM clone

jk · 2002-11-11 22:27:33

It was just an example, but yes, that's what i meant...sorry, english isn't my native language

n00b_E · 2002-11-11 22:30:01

as apparently only his perspective is the valid one.

mordantly · 2002-11-11 22:34:16

not a big thing at all. im just looking out fur everyone in an attempt to make sure that members like n00b_E arent mindlesslly attacked to where they can interpret it as a complete degredation of there intelligence by not seeing the obvious. now let us have no more of this!!

[sends in the regulator]

Arch Linux

#1 2002-11-10 07:42:10

pacman db

#2 2002-11-10 16:09:23

Re: pacman db

#3 2002-11-10 18:33:32

Re: pacman db

#4 2002-11-10 19:00:28

Re: pacman db

#5 2002-11-11 04:55:45

Re: pacman db

#6 2002-11-11 15:35:45

Re: pacman db

#7 2002-11-11 16:28:13

Re: pacman db

#8 2002-11-11 18:55:41

Re: pacman db

#9 2002-11-11 21:53:38

Re: pacman db

#10 2002-11-11 22:01:51

Re: pacman db

#11 2002-11-11 22:27:33

Re: pacman db

#12 2002-11-11 22:30:01

Re: pacman db

#13 2002-11-11 22:34:16

Re: pacman db

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