[SOLVED] What is the difference between install and groupinstall ?

sumncguy · 09-03-2015, 07:30 AM

.... again .. studying for the LPI101/RHSA/LINUX +

Im reviewing my notes and Lab. One of the labs shows how to load multiple desktops. The lab uses "yum groupinstall <various desktops>"

I did do my duty. I looked at man ... never really helps and searched the web but didnt get any hits that REALLY explain the difference.

I did find that groupinstall loads many packages ... but I thought install did also ..

Thanks so much for the help
sum

jpollard · 09-03-2015, 08:44 AM

groupinstall uses a name to refer to a list of packages, or other groups... A name like "Fedora Workstation" can be used like:

Code:

# yum groupinfo "Fedora Workstation"
Loaded plugins: langpacks

Environment Group: Fedora Workstation
 Environment-Id: workstation-product-environment
 Description: Fedora Workstation is a user friendly desktop system for laptops and PCs.
 Mandatory Groups:
    base-x
    core
    fonts
    guest-desktop-agents
    hardware-support
    multimedia
    networkmanager-submodules
    printing
   +workstation-product
 Optional Groups:
    libreoffice

Note: "Fedora Workstation" is a group that only has a list of other groups.

And to see what packages are in a group:

Code:

# yum groupinfo core
Loaded plugins: langpacks

Group: Core
 Group-Id: core
 Description: Smallest possible installation
 Mandatory Packages:
    audit
    basesystem
    bash
    coreutils
    cronie
    curl
    dhclient
    e2fsprogs
    filesystem
    glibc
    grubby
    hostname
    initscripts
    iproute
    iputils
    kbd
    less
    man-db
    ncurses
    openssh-clients
    openssh-server
    parted
    passwd
    plymouth
    policycoreutils
    procps-ng
    rootfiles
    rpm
    rpmfusion-free-release
    selinux-policy-targeted
    setup
    shadow-utils
    sudo
    systemd
    uboot-tools
    util-linux
    vim-minimal
    yum
 Default Packages:
    NetworkManager
    authconfig
    dracut-config-rescue
    firewalld
   -ppc64-utils

As you can see, sometimes using a groupinstall is much more effective than installing a single package, and depend on all the dependencies get what you may want. It allso allows the group to include associated, but not related packages that make the group more useful.