How to use RPM in Fedora Linux

RPM is used to build, install, query, verify, update, and erase individual software packages. It was originally designed to work with Red Hat / Fedora Linux. Currently it also works on other rpm-based distributions: Suse, Mandriva Linux, Conectiva and etc.

To install software packages, use the following command:

rpm -i foobar.rpm

To uninstall a software package:

rpm -e foobar.rpm

To list all installed packages:

rpm -qa

If the list is too long to be seen in one windows, you may pipe the list to less:

# rpm -qa | less

Like any other Unix command, you may use the –help to look for help in RPM.

rpm –help

Of course, the manual for RPM is available as:

man rpm

While the rpm command is good for installing a single RPM from local directory, the yum command is often the better choice for installing applications in Red Hat Linux / Fedora. Unlike RPM, Yum will help to automatically find all dependent packages.