installpkg but in reverse?
 

has anybody ever had a need to uninstall a package but instead of removepkg just deleting the files have a package tool that moves them to /tmp/[package-name]/ including their required symlinks and runs makepkg back in to a package for reinstalling at a later time

not too often, but once in a while i wished i had something that could do that

You can write a script that reads the installation file in /var/log/packages

From the manual of removepkg
However, I do not think that it is capable to reconstruct completely packages which contains /etc files which are renamed or have the permissions changed on installation, or they are already tuned by user.

LuckyCyborg, i will give that a try on a non test package to see how well it does, thanks i did not know --preserve was even there, and ya on the modified /etc/ files if it at least saves a copy i can always fix it since i dont do much in /etc unless necessary (if it aint broke, dont fix it)

Random Troll, can the mv command read those files in /var/log/packages and move the listed files somewhere like /tmp/[package-name] ?

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this is what removepkg --preserve did

Not an answer to your question, but why not save the package somewhere, if you think it could become unavailable from the servers?

Didier it might be the answer but it is a solution, but not a solution that is always available, like if i am out camping far away and i dont have internet access, i like the idea that if i can keep an old package archived on my drive somewhere just in case i need it later,

i plan to spend some time in the south west deserts of the USA soon and there wont always be internet access, i think that --preserve option with removepkg will do it

Yes, the "--preserve" flag preserves the files on a reconstructed package, WHEN that particular package is removed from system.

Sorry, but I do not know certainly what you intend to do and certainly I do not intend to go the ol' RTFM, however you can see all available options doing "man removepkg"

BTW, if I remember right, another alternative is "removepkg --copy" which reconstruct the package WITHOUT removing it from system.

Look for yourself. It has the full file name minus the initial slash. The other options people have mentioned look better. I'm no expert. This doesn't resolve conflicts, i.e., if a file appears in another package.

Because I spent years without an Internet connection I keep a copy of every package I use. You may find makepkg more useful. I just remembered it and have never used it. One would think it could use a package definition.

Check this post by Ruarí:
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...2/#post5139643