Re: How to >>COMPLETELY<< remove an application?
On 3/8/17, Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> wrote:
> I recently installed grml-debootstrap from a purchased DVD set of
> Jessie(8.6.0). I have minimal available bandwidth so I install strictly
> from DVDs.
>
> I have discovered a potential bug for my specific use case and believe
> I've narrowed the problem source to two specific files.
>
> I have used script to record some of my test runs after I had edited the
> files in question.
>
> I wanted to record a test run duplicating the as originally installed
> environment. I used Synaptic to remove the package - choosing the "Mark
> for complete removal" option. It notified me that it would remove
> configuration files which was why I chose that option.
>
> I reinstalled grml-debootstrap from the same DVD set. I did a dry run
> and got a quite different set of errors.
>
> IIRC I've seen discussions about removing EVERYTHING related to a
> package. I don't recall the details.
>
> What is the most effective way to completely remove an application?
>
> If all else fails, I can reinstall Debian completely to a new partition.
> But I'd like to use this as an "educational" experience.
I use both "apt-get autoremove" and "apt-get purge" for package
removal. Purge is the one that FEELS LIKE it zaps everything,
configuration files and all, but I've never gone about it
scientifically to verify yay or nay for fact.
>From "man apt-get":
+++++++++
remove
remove is identical to install except that packages are removed
instead of installed. Note that removing a package leaves its
configuration files on the system. If a plus sign is appended to
the package name (with no intervening space), the identified
package will be installed instead of removed.
purge
purge is identical to remove except that packages are removed and
purged (any configuration files are deleted too).
+++++++++
Ohhhh, and I learned something new today:
+++++++++
autoremove (and the auto-remove alias since 1.1)
autoremove is used to remove packages that were automatically
installed to satisfy dependencies for other packages and are now no
longer needed.
+++++++++
I did not know that. I knew there was "remove" and "autoremove" but
had never pursued *why*. I started using "autoremove" after I kept
seeing apt-get proffer it.... for removal of packages that are no
longer dependencies for anything. So from now on... my opening
statement will be that I use "apt-get remove" and "apt-get purge".
*grin*
Do Synaptic, Aptitude, and possibly anything else of that family have
similarly close but still different flags/commands?
Cindy :)
--
Cindy-Sue Causey
Talking Rock, Pickens County, Georgia, USA
* runs with glee @ #SandySprings!! *
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