SlackRoll is a simple-to-use software for managing packages and updates on Slackware systems. It streamlines system administration by automating the installation, removal, and updating of software packages.
SlackRoll is ideal for managing Slackware systems that are mostly composed of official packages with a few unofficial ones thrown in. With this tool, you can stay connected to the remote tree and be notified when new packages appear, when packages are removed, and when packages are upgraded.
Before you dive in, it's helpful to understand a few key concepts. SlackRoll works with the current directory, rather than a fixed system directory. You can choose to use /var/SlackRoll or any other directory that suits your needs. In the context of SlackRoll, packages refer to named pieces of software without specific versions unless otherwise specified. Bash, KDewebDev, and GCC-GFortran are all examples of packages.
Each package in SlackRoll is in one of several possible states, and the program tries to maintain a persistent "database" that associates each package with its state. When you run SlackRoll, it analyzes the list of packages on your system and compares it to the list of remote packages, introducing new entries, deleting old ones, and changing the state of some entries in order to keep your package database updated.
Overall, SlackRoll is a useful tool for Slackware users who want to manage their system's packages and stay connected to the remote tree. With its simple, flexible design, SlackRoll is a great addition to any Slackware user's toolkit.
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