How to use the command "checkupdates" (with examples)

“checkupdates” is a command tool used in Arch Linux to check for pending updates. It allows users to easily view and download the updates to the system. In this article, we will explore different use cases of the “checkupdates” command.

Use case 1: List pending updates

Code:

checkupdates

Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to quickly check for pending updates in your Arch Linux system.

Explanation: The “checkupdates” command without any arguments will list all the pending updates available for your system.

Example output:

linux 4.14.232-arch2-1
nano 5.6.1-1
openssh 8.6p1-1
...

Use case 2: List pending updates and download the packages to the pacman cache

Code:

checkupdates --download

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to both view the pending updates and download the packages to the pacman cache.

Explanation: Adding the “–download” argument to the “checkupdates” command will not only list the pending updates but also download the packages to the pacman cache for later installation.

Example output:

:: Proceed with downloading packages? [Y/n] Y
downloading linux-4.14.232-arch2-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst...
downloading nano-5.6.1-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst...
downloading openssh-8.6p1-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst...
...

Use case 3: List pending updates using a specific pacman database

Code:

CHECKUPDATES_DB=path/to/directory checkupdates

Motivation: This use case is beneficial when you have multiple pacman databases or need to check for updates in a specific database.

Explanation: By setting the “CHECKUPDATES_DB” environment variable to the path of the desired directory containing the pacman database, the “checkupdates” command will list the pending updates using that specific database.

Example output:

linux 4.14.232-arch2-1
nano 5.6.1-1
openssh 8.6p1-1
...

Use case 4: Display help

Code:

checkupdates --help

Motivation: This use case is useful when you need a quick reference on how to use the “checkupdates” command.

Explanation: Adding the “–help” argument to the “checkupdates” command will display the help and usage information, providing a detailed explanation of the available options and their usage.

Example output:

Usage: checkupdates [options]

Options:
  -h, --help      Show help and exit
  -d, --download  Download packages to the pacman cache
...

Conclusion:

The “checkupdates” command is a powerful tool for managing pending updates in Arch Linux. By using different arguments, you can list pending updates, download them to the pacman cache, and even check for updates using a specific pacman database. Additionally, the command provides a helpful “–help” option to display usage information.