How to use the command 'yaourt' (with examples)

Yaourt is an Arch Linux utility that allows users to build packages directly from the Arch User Repository (AUR). The AUR is a community-driven repository that hosts user-contributed packages for Arch Linux.

Use case 1: Synchronize and update all packages (including AUR)

Code:

yaourt -Syua

Motivation: By synchronizing and updating all packages, including those from the AUR, users can ensure that their system is up to date with the latest software versions and security patches.

Explanation:

• yaourt: The command itself.
• -Syua: The options used:
  • -S: Install or upgrade packages.
  • -y: Assume yes to all questions.
  • -u: Upgrade installed packages.
  • -a: Upgrade all AUR packages.

Example output:

:: Synchronizing package databases...
 core is up to date
 extra is up to date
 community is up to date
 multilib is up to date
 archlinuxcn is up to date
 archstrike is up to date
aururlresolver 1.0.9-2 -> 1.0.12-1
archstrike-firmware 20190103-1 -> 20190206-1
:: Starting full system upgrade...
resolving dependencies...
looking for conflicting packages...

Packages (319): archstrike-keyring-20180213-1  archstrike-20190108-1  archstrike-20190126-1  archstrike-20190201-1 ... lib32-libepoxy-1.4.0-1  linux-5.3.5.arch1-1  linux-api-headers-5.3-1 linux-docs-5.3.5.arch3-1  linux-firmware-20190923.1009534-1  linux-headers-5.3.5.arch2-1 ... zenity-3.32.0-1

Total Download Size:   91.50 MiB
Total Installed Size:  3994.98 MiB
...

Use case 2: Install a new package (includes AUR)

Code:

yaourt -S package

Motivation: The -S option allows users to install new packages. By including the package name after -S, users can specify which package they would like to install.

Explanation:

• yaourt: The command itself.
• -S: Install or upgrade packages.
• package: The name of the package to be installed.

Example output:

:: looking for package(s) package...
:: Package(s) package not found in repositories, trying AUR...
:: resolving dependencies...
:: looking for conflicting packages...
...

Enter a selection (default=all): 
...

2 aur/package2 2.0.0-1 (3) [installed: 1.0.0-1]
...
==> Choose packages by entering numbers separated by spaces. Press enter to cancel.
-> 2
...
==> Building and installing package
==> Making package: package2 2.0.0-1 (Thu 24 Oct 2019 12:00:00 AM PST)
==> Checking runtime dependencies...
==> Checking buildtime dependencies...
==> Retrieving sources...
...
(1/1) checking keys in keyring                     [-------------------------] 100%
(1/1) checking package integrity                   [-------------------------] 100%
(1/1) loading package files                        [-------------------------] 100%
(1/1) checking for file conflicts                  [-------------------------] 100%
(1/1) checking available disk space                [-------------------------] 100%
:: Processing package changes...
(1/1) installing package2                          [-------------------------] 100%
...

Use case 3: Remove a package and its dependencies (includes AUR packages)

Code:

yaourt -Rs package

Motivation: Removing a package from the system can help free up disk space and remove any unused or unwanted software. By using the -Rs options, users can remove a package and its dependencies, including those from the AUR.

Explanation:

• yaourt: The command itself.
• -Rs: Remove a package and its dependencies.
• package: The name of the package to be removed.

Example output:

checking dependencies...
error: failed to prepare transaction (could not satisfy dependencies)
:: package1: removing package conflicts with package2
:: package1: removing package conflicts with package3
...

Use case 4: Search the package database for a keyword (including AUR)

Code:

yaourt -Ss query

Motivation: Searching the package database for a keyword can help users find specific packages or libraries they need for their projects or tasks. By including the query after -Ss, users can search for a specific keyword.

Explanation:

• yaourt: The command itself.
• -Ss: Search the package database.
• query: The keyword or term to search for.

Example output:

aur/package1 1.0.0-1 (3) [installed: 2.0.0-1]
    Package description for package1
...
aur/package2 2.0.0-1 (3) [installed: 1.0.0-1]
    Package description for package2
...

Use case 5: List installed packages, versions, and repositories

Code:

yaourt -Q

Motivation: Listing installed packages can provide users with an overview of the software on their system. By using the -Q option, users can get a list of installed packages along with their versions and repositories.

Explanation:

• yaourt: The command itself.
• -Q: List installed packages.

Example output:

package1 2.0.0-1
package2 1.0.0-1
...
aur/package3 3.0.0-1
aur/package4 4.0.0-1
...

Conclusion:

Yaourt is a powerful utility for managing packages on Arch Linux, including those from the Arch User Repository (AUR). By using the various options provided by yaourt, users can synchronize and update packages, install new packages, remove packages and their dependencies, search for specific packages, and list installed packages. This flexibility allows users to effectively manage their software ecosystem and keep their system up to date.