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Now that you are familiar with the global interface, we will install a package. We will choose a clear example, but it may be possible that this package is already installed on your system. If this is the case, it does not matter, just use another one in order to experiment. Of course, to experiment we must choose a package in the Installable packages list. So select this list if you have not done so yet.
As an example, we will chose the emacs-pcomplete package. To find it more easily, use the Flat List, which is alphabetically ordered, or the search field. Once you have found it, select it by clicking in the square box next to its name. It then appears in the Selected block on the right-hand side, and various information are given such as the package's version and its size.
Now,
to install it, simply click on the button labeled
Install / Remove, on the left of
the button bar at the top of the window. RpmDrake will then
invoke
RpmInst, the
wizard which will guide you through the various steps for installing
the package.
After a few seconds, you see the wizard's window covering RpmDrake's window. When launched from RpmDrake, RpmInst starts by giving you information about the needed dependencies: either a list or a short text telling you everything is fine. If there are dependencies, you will see either only one package or a list, with information displayed in the same fashion as in the bottom-right part of RpmDrake.
Dependencies? Some packages can not work if other packages are not installed. In our example, the emacs-pcomplete package can not work if the emacs package is not installed. In this case, we say that emacs belongs to emacs-pcomplete's dependencies. This is what is displayed in the above window. This information is provided by urpmq, a command-line tool (you can find more information about urpmq in the associated man page: urpmq(8)).
However, in some cases, all the dependencies of the package you want to install are already installed. In those cases, you won't even see this page, and continue directly on the next page.
Now the installation really begins. In the window, you see three rows, to show you what is happening and the overall progression: these rows come from urpmi (another command-line tool, see urpmi(8) for more details). During the process, some events may occur:
if the package you want to install is on a CD-ROM, the program may ask you to insert it: click OK when you are done;
you may also get a message telling you that a package is not signed or has an incorrect signature. The signature is used to make sure a package can be safely installed, from a security point of view: it has been validated by someone, and not altered by a malicious user. If you get this message, then make sure you know where the package comes from. You can install it, but do so at your own risk!
When the installation is done, you can exit the wizard and go back to RpmDrake.