Table 3-1. rpm -e Command Syntax
| rpm -e (or --erase) options pkg1 … pkgN | ||
| Parameters | ||
| pkg1 … pkgN | One or more installed packages | |
| Erase-specific Options | Page | |
| --test | Perform erase tests only | Section 3.3.1 |
| --noscripts | Do not execute pre- and post-uninstall scripts | Section 3.3.3 |
| --nodeps | Do not check dependencies | Section 3.3.2 |
| General Options | Page | |
| -vv | Display debugging information | Section 3.2.1 |
| --root <path> | Set alternate root to <path> | Section 3.3.5 |
| --rcfile <rcfile> | Set alternate rpmrc file to <rcfile> | Section 3.3.4 |
| --dbpath <path> | Use <path> to find the RPM database | Section 3.3.6 |
The rpm -e command (--erase is equivalent) removes, or erases, one or more packages from the system. RPM performs a series of steps whenever it erases a package:
It checks the RPM database to make sure that no other packages depend on the package being erased.
It executes a pre-uninstall script (if one exists).
It checks to see if any of the package's config files have been modified. If so, it saves copies of them.
It reviews the RPM database to find every file listed as being part of the package, and if they do not belong to another package, deletes them.
It executes a post-uninstall script (if one exists).
It removes all traces of the package (and the files belonging to it) from the RPM database.
That's quite a bit of activity for a single command. No wonder RPM can be such a time-saver!