Arch Linux

dabd

Member

Registered: 2008-11-17

Posts: 109

Installing packages

In the wiki http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Pac … g_packages it is said that:

Note: Do not refresh the package list when installing packages (i.e. pacman -Sy package_name); this can lead to dependency issues.[1] Upgrade explicitly first; before installing new packages.

Does this mean that I should upgrade the system with

pacman -Syu

everytime I want to install a new package?

hokasch

Member

Registered: 2007-09-23

Posts: 1,461

Re: Installing packages

I think it just means you should use "pacman -S" instead of "pacman -Sy" for installing packages.

dabd

Member

Registered: 2008-11-17

Posts: 109

Re: Installing packages

I think it just means you should use "pacman -S" instead of "pacman -Sy" for installing packages.

I understood that part. The confusing bit is this one

Upgrade explicitly first; before installing new packages.

Thanks.

Last edited by dabd (2010-05-14 12:58:23)

Allan

Pacman

From: Brisbane, AU

Registered: 2007-06-09

Posts: 11,672

Website

Re: Installing packages

"pacman -S pkg" is safe.   It will fail if the package has been updated and then you should do a full system update.

Doing regular full updates in Arch is a good thing.

---

PGP Key: F99FFE0FEAE999BD | I develop pacman - buy me a drink!

evr

Arch Linux f@h Team Member

Registered: 2009-01-23

Posts: 554

Re: Installing packages

yes, running a 'pacman -Syu' before you install new packages helps to ensure that all your new installed packages will not have any dependency issues.

dabd

Member

Registered: 2008-11-17

Posts: 109

Re: Installing packages

yes, running a 'pacman -Syu' before you install new packages helps to ensure that all your new installed packages will not have any dependency issues.

I understand that, but I also read somewhere that you should be careful about doing a full system upgrade, because arch is a rolling release distribution.

If I understood correctly, everytime I need to install a new package, I might break my system in two ways:

1. Updating the package list with 'pacman -Sy'
2. Upgrading the system with 'pacman -Syu'

Which one could potentially cause less damage?

dabd

Member

Registered: 2008-11-17

Posts: 109

Re: Installing packages

"pacman -S pkg" is safe.   It will fail if the package has been updated and then you should do a full system update.

Doing regular full updates in Arch is a good thing.

Ok, thanks.

tomk

Forum Fellow

From: Ireland

Registered: 2004-07-21

Posts: 9,839

Re: Installing packages

I also read somewhere that you should be careful about doing a full system upgrade

Indeed you should - careful like this.