library/ package association

jmaron · 08-23-2010, 01:20 PM

How to find a required library on the internet when it is part of a package and thus not directly accessible by name.
I use slackware. The problem usually arises when trying to install a package not part of the slackware distribution. Sometimes there is a hint in the name of the missing library but at others you have only libxxxx.so. Is there a database or a program which would be of help? I would appreciate hearing how others handle the problem. Thanks in advance.

RockDoctor · 08-23-2010, 04:15 PM

I use google

knudfl · 08-24-2010, 11:34 AM

The most easy to use is often Google .. libxxxx.so rpm
.. and then look at the http://rpm.pbone.net/ hits.
You can also enter libxxxx.so in the 'Advanced Search' in rpm.pbone.net.

And this one : The Debian online file search :
http://packages.debian.org/search?su...words=libxt.so
> > Search → 'package contents' : libxxx.so
..

GrapefruiTgirl · 08-24-2010, 11:38 AM

I agree with the above - when trying to identify an unknown library dependency, Google is the first place I look. Usually within the first few results there will be some good indications of what package it belongs to. And the RPM databases mentioned by knudfl are a great place to get a link to the homepage or sourcecode location for the package containing the library.

Good luck!

Sasha

jmaron · 08-25-2010, 07:45 AM

I have tried google as suggested with occasional success. The key problem is to find which package contains the required library. Thanks for the suggestions.

knudfl · 08-25-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

I have tried google as suggested with occasional success.
The key problem is to find which package contains the required library.

OK, give us say three examples, and I will reply with my results,
and tell how it was done.
..

jmaron · 08-25-2010, 02:44 PM

Sorry, I can't provide examples. My question was of a general nature since this has proved troublesome over the past few years. While trying to find a examples I quickly checked out libraries which eluded me in the past -- viola! -- they turned up at the top the google search list, where previously I had spent weeks trying to find them. Still, I would be pleased to see your general method. Thanks for your attention.

knudfl · 08-26-2010, 09:12 AM

My general method is primarily : Google .. libxxx.so rpm ..

... And then look for hits from "rpm.pbone".

( As mentioned in post # 3 ).

...

jmaron · 08-26-2010, 12:19 PM

Thanks. I should have read your earlier reply more carefully. I am a slackware user so I tend to skip over rpm stuff. Regards