Safe to uninstall with apt-get install?

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Operating Systems Linux Debian Safe to uninstall with apt-get install?
# 1  
Old 04-03-2006
Safe to uninstall with apt-get install?

Yesterday I incidently called apt-get with an ending "-". I noticed that I got promped if I wanted to remove the file. My question is if it's safe. I've never heard of anyone doing it so I just wanted to know.

Syntax:
Code:
161659/home/riwa# apt-get install links2-
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  links2
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 0B of archives.
After unpacking 3211kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 109839 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing links2 ...

/Richard
# 2  
Old 04-03-2006
In fact, it's a documented feature:

Code:
# man 8 apt-get
[...]
       install
              install is followed by one or more packages desired for installation. Each package is a package name, not a fully qualified filename (for
              instance,  in  a Debian GNU/Linux system, libc6 would be the argument provided, not libc6_1.9.6-2.deb) All packages required by the pack-
              age(s) specified for installation will also be retrieved and installed. The /etc/apt/sources.list file is  used  to  locate  the  desired
              packages.  If  a  hyphen is appended to the package name (with no intervening space), the identified package will be removed if it is in-
              stalled. Similarly a plus sign can be used to designate a package to install. These latter features may be  used  to  override  decisions
              made by apt-get's conflict resolution system.

[...]       

       remove remove is identical to install except that packages are removed instead of installed. If a plus sign is  appended  to  the  package  name
              (with no intervening space), the identified package will be installed instead of removed.

# 3  
Old 04-03-2006
Ok. Well a useless feature. But now we know it!

Thanks for the research!

/Richard
Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

10 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Apt-get install --purge

Hello, i would like to know what is the use of that command apt-get install --purgeI understand the use of --purge while using with remove parameter, but i don't get it when it's about installing. Enlight me please ! Thx ---------- Post updated 09-03-16 at 11:35 AM ---------- Previous... (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: Purgator
0 Replies

2. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

debuginfo-install, how to uninstall?

I used the following command: $debuginfo-install glibc-2.12.90-17.i686 it is helpful when using gdb, but now I don't need it. How to uninstall the debuginfo packet? (2 Replies)
Discussion started by: vistastar
2 Replies

3. Solaris

Solaris 10 install and Uninstall instructions.

I want to work in solaris admin. If I install Solaris 10 in my system, will it support all solaris admin commands and admin tools? Do we need to install any tools to support or work in Solaris admin? can you please let me know the install and uninstall instructions for Solaris 10 ? Is solaris OS... (5 Replies)
Discussion started by: shijoe
5 Replies

4. Red Hat

How to install and uninstall apache on Red Hat Linux 5

Hi All, I installed Linus on virtual PC on my system. I want to configure apache on it. Also i want to install nagios and want to access through web broser from my system. How can I do this. Kindly provide soln its required urgently......... plsssssssssssssssss (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: sunray
4 Replies

5. UNIX and Linux Applications

apt-get install giving error

Hello when i am giving a command apt-get install I am getting error as below: " apt-get: error while loading shared libraries: libapt-pkg-libc6.3-6.so.3.11: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory " can u suggest what to do. https://www.unix.com/images/misc/progress.gif... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: pradeepreddy
1 Replies

6. UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

apt-get install error

Hello when i am giving a command apt-get install I am getting error as below: " apt-get: error while loading shared libraries: libapt-pkg-libc6.3-6.so.3.11: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory " can u suggest what to do. https://www.unix.com/images/misc/progress.gif... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: pradeepreddy
1 Replies

7. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

RPM uninstall/install

Running FC5 on a Dell desktop. When I compile a LaTex file, it goes fine but only outlines blank boxes where figs should be. When I send the figs.eps and Tex file to a friend, his compiles and imbeds the fig. in the text of the DVI output using my files without add'nl control cards. I conclude... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: blann
1 Replies

8. Solaris

install and uninstall package

I'm a newcomer for Solaris. I tried to install Net::FTP package ( a tool perl ) on our sun server 5.9. We used the below command: /usr/bin/perl MakeFilePL make make install How can I uninstall this package ? (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: anhtt
1 Replies

9. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Apt-get install

When I use apt-get install command, for example samba install, does that command then invokes search of entire disk to find samba packet or what? (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: salvor_hardin
1 Replies

10. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

uninstall and install a package

Hi, on Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS release 3 (Taroon). How can I : 1-install a package (exemple : compat-gcc-7.3-2.96.128.src.rpm) 2-uninstall (or delete or deinstall) a package (exemple : compat-gcc-7.3-2.96.122). Many thanks before. (6 Replies)
Discussion started by: big123456
6 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question