Slackware remains one of the oldest Linux distributions in active development and is highly esteemed for its user-friendly, stable, and customizable features. A valuable asset for Slackware users is slackpkg, a reliable software package management tool. This blog post offers a comprehensive guide on utilizing it proficiently.
Installation
If Slackpkg isn’t installed on your system, you can install it by running the installpkg command as the root user.
# installpkg /path/to/slackpkg.tgz
Configuration
Before running slackpkg, we need to configure it, and the configuration file is located at /etc/slackpkg/slackpkg.conf. You need to edit this file as root.
# nano /etc/slackpkg/slackpkg.conf
Uncomment the mirror line that you want to use for package updates. It’s suggested to use a mirror closest to your location for the fastest download speeds.
Usage
One of the most common uses for slackpkg is to install new software. Here’s how you can install a package:
# slackpkg install packagename
If you want to update the package list from your chosen mirror, simply use the update command.
# slackpkg update
Upgrading your entire system is also made simple with slackpkg. Once your package list is updated, use the upgrade-all command to upgrade all installed packages.
# slackpkg upgrade-all
There are plenty more commands and options available with slackpkg, and this guide just scratches the surface. The man page for slackpkg offers a full list of options and is accessible from your terminal with man slackpkg.
Conclusion
Slackpkg is a powerful tool for managing packages on your Slackware system. Whether you’re installing new software, upgrading your entire system, or just keeping your package list up to date, slackpkg makes the process simple and straightforward.
