Understand when it is preferable to install a pre-compiled binary and how to do so

Author: name contact BSD flavour

Reviewer: name contact BSD flavour

Reviewer: Chris Silva racerx@makeworld.com FreeBSD


Concept

TODO: Suggest that this be s/binary/package/

Be aware that while pre-compiled binaries are quick and easy to install, they don't allow the customization of the binary to a system's particular needs. Know how to install a pre-compiled binary from either a local or a remote source, as well as how to uninstall a pre-compiled binary.

TODO: this concept seems to overlap Understand the difference between a pre-compiled binary and compiling from source. Maybe reword these (and let Group know).

Introduction

(((packages)))

It's preferable to install a pre-compiled binary when you're running on an older and/or slower machine or your setup is generic enough to not require customization.

pkg_add: (((pkg_add))) a utility for installing software package distributions, used to extract packages that have been previously created with pkg_create (TODO: is pkg_create for openbsd? is that even applicable for this book?).

pkg_add pkg_name [pkg_name ...] can install the listed packages in pkg_name

pkg_add -v pkg_name turns on verbose output

pkg_add -n pkg_name doesn't install package, just reports the steps necessary to do so

pkg_delete: (((pkg_delete))) a utility for deleting previously installed software package distributions that were previously installed with the pkg_add command

pkg_delete pkg_name deinstalls named packages

pkg_delete -a unconditionally deletes all currently installed packages (TODO: what about OpenBSD and pkgsrc?)

pkg_delete -n pkg_name lists steps for deinstalling without deinstalling

pkg_delete -f pkg_name forces deinstallation even if a dependency is recorded or deinstall fails

TODO: what about pkg_info (((pkg_info)))? Where covered in this book?

Examples

Practice Exercises

More information

pkg_add(1), pkg_delete(1)