What is Zypper?
As you may know already, Zypper is most powerful command line package manager for installing, updating and removing packages as well as for managing repositories. Zypper is an open source project sponsored by Novell, and licensed under GNU GPL v2. It has been used in openSUSE since version 10.2.
Unlike other popular package managers such as APT and YUM, Zypper uses the SAT solver, which is the best available dependency solution. In my personal experience, I never ever got a dependency problem while using Zypper. If you encounter with any dependency problems, Zypper will present you multiple choices to resolve them wisely. So you never end up with any dependency problems, and it displays the output more informative in a tabular format.
One more notable feature of Zypper is it has the best syntax format. You can use commands either in full or short format.
For example, you can install VLC package using zypper in two methods.
Method 1:
# zypper install vlc
Method 2:
Also, you can use the above command in a short format as shown below.
# zypper in vlc
Here I used “in” instead of “install”.
To update system, you can use “zypper up” instead of “zypper update”.
Likewise, Almost all commands have such a shortcut.
Zypper Usage
Now, let us see some practical examples of zypper usage.
The syntax of Zypper is:
# zypper [global-options]command[command-options][arguments] ...
The components enclosed in brackets are not mandatory.
Installing Packages
Zypper usage is simple and straight forward. To install a package, enter the following command:
# zypper install <package-name>
Or
# zypper in <package-name>
Example:
# zypper in vlc
Sample output:
Enter “y” to continue installation. If you want to continue the installation without asking anything, use “–non-interactive” global option just before command. Zypper will not ask you any confirmation from you, and will install the packages by automatically by applying the default answers.
# zypper --non-interactive in vlc
Or
# zypper -n in vlc
The above command will install VLC package without asking anything from you by accepting the default answers.
We can use wildcards with zypper command to install packages starting with particular letters. For example, to install packages starting with letters “abc“, use the following command:
# zypper install 'abc*'
If you want to install the source package of a particular package, enter the following command:
# zypper source-install vlc
The above command will install the source package of vlc along with build dependencies.
If you do not want this, use -D option.
# zypper source-install -D vlc
To install only the build dependencies, use -d option.
# zypper source-install -d vlc
Removing packages
To remove a package, use either one of the following commands:
# zypper remove vlc
Or
# zypper -n remove vlc
Installing and removing packages simultaneously
Wouldn’t be better, if it possible to install and remove packages simultaneously? Yes, you can do this using +/- modifiers.
For example, To install mplayer and remove vlc simultaneously, enter the following command:
# zypper install mplayer -vlc
Just like above, you remove mplayer and install vlc simultaneously as shown below.
# zypper remove mplayer +vlc
Searching packages
To search a particular package, use the following command:
# zypper -n search vlc
Or
# zypper -n se vlc
Sample output:
Installing Patches and Patterns
To install all officially released patches to your system, run the following command:
# zypper patch
To list all available patches, use the following command:
# zypper patches
Sample output:
Loading repository data... Reading installed packages... Catalog | Name | Version | Category | Status -----------------------------+--------------------+---------+-------------+--------------- openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1002 | 1 | security | Not Applicable openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1003 | 1 | security | Not Applicable openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1004 | 1 | security | Not Applicable openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1005 | 1 | recommended | Not Applicable openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1007 | 1 | recommended | Needed openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1008 | 1 | recommended | Not Applicable openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1009 | 1 | recommended | Not Applicable openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1010 | 1 | recommended | Not Applicable openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1011 | 1 | recommended | Needed openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1012 | 1 | recommended | Not Applicable openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1013 | 1 | recommended | Needed openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1016 | 1 | recommended | Needed openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1017 | 1 | recommended | Not Applicable [...]
To check the number of required patches, enter the following command:
# zypper patch-check
Sample output:
Loading repository data... Reading installed packages... 122 patches needed (26 security patches)
Also, you can list all patches which are not yet installed, using the following command:
# zypper list-patches
Sample output:
Loading repository data... Reading installed packages... The following software management updates will be installed first: Repository | Name | Version | Category | Status | Summary ---------------------+------------------+---------+-------------+--------+--------------------------------------- openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2014-22 | 1 | recommended | needed | Softwarestack update for openSUSE 13.1 openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2014-89 | 1 | recommended | needed | Softwarestack update for openSUSE 13.1 The following updates are also available: Repository | Name | Version | Category | Status | Summary ---------------------+--------------------+---------+-------------+--------+----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1007 | 1 | recommended | needed | gtk3: fix the scroll events from the external mouse openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1011 | 1 | recommended | needed | kernel-firmware: already load AMD CPU microcode in the initial ramdisk openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1013 | 1 | recommended | needed | systemd: Two fixes openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1016 | 1 | recommended | needed | SDL: resolve an issue with resizing openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1018 | 1 | recommended | needed | x11-tools: fix other IM can't input in gnome when ibus openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1019 | 1 | recommended | needed | ca-certificates: Fixed typo in advice for CA Certificates install openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1020 | 1 | recommended | needed | openssl: fix compression disabling side effects openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1031 | 1 | security | needed | aaa_base: fixed root users default group and /etc/shadow permissions openSUSE-13.1-Update | openSUSE-2013-1033 | 1 | security | needed | xorg-x11-server: fixed an overflow in trapezoid handling [...]
Pattern is something similar to “yum groupinstall” command that saves your time by installing a group of software packages easily without having to install them manually one by one.
To search for a group package, enter the following command:
# zypper search -t pattern
For more details about patterns, refer the following link.
– Patterns: A Quick Introduction
Installing Updates
To list all new available updates, use the following command:
# zypper list-updates --all
Sample output:
Loading repository data... Reading installed packages... S | Repository | Name | Current Version | Available Version | Arch --+----------------------------------+--------------------------------------+-----------------------------+-----------------------------+------- v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | Mesa | 9.2.2-61.6.1 | 9.2.3-61.9.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | Mesa-libEGL1 | 9.2.2-61.6.1 | 9.2.3-61.9.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | Mesa-libGL1 | 9.2.2-61.6.1 | 9.2.3-61.9.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | Mesa-libGLESv2-2 | 9.2.2-61.6.1 | 9.2.3-61.9.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | Mesa-libglapi0 | 9.2.2-61.6.1 | 9.2.3-61.9.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | ModemManager | 1.0.0-3.1.3 | 1.0.0-3.4.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | MozillaFirefox | 25.0-1.1 | 27.0-8.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | NetworkManager-gnome | 0.9.8.4-2.1 | 0.9.8.4-20.3 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Oss | PackageKit | 0.8.7-4.5.1 | 0.8.11-2.3.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Oss | PackageKit-backend-zypp | 0.8.7-4.5.1 | 0.8.11-2.3.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Oss | PackageKit-branding-openSUSE | 12.3-4.2.1 | 13.1-2.2.1 | noarch v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | aaa_base | 13.1-16.17.1 | 13.1-16.34.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | aaa_base-extras | 13.1-16.17.1 | 13.1-16.34.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | accountsservice | 0.6.34-2.2.1 | 0.6.34-2.4.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | alsa | 1.0.27.2-3.2.1 | 1.0.27.2-3.5.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | apache2 | 2.4.6-6.3.1 | 2.4.6-6.10.1 | i586 v | openSUSE BuildService - PHP | apache2-mod_php5 | 5.5.6-191.1 | 5.5.9-212.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | apache2-prefork | 2.4.6-6.3.1 | 2.4.6-6.10.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | apache2-utils | 2.4.6-6.3.1 | 2.4.6-6.10.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | apparmor-docs | 2.8.2-4.8.1 | 2.8.2-4.13.1 | noarch v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | apparmor-parser | 2.8.2-4.8.1 | 2.8.2-4.13.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | apparmor-profiles | 2.8.2-4.8.1 | 2.8.2-4.13.1 | noarch v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | apparmor-utils | 2.8.1-3.1.1 | 2.8.2-4.13.1 | noarch v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | at | 3.1.13-5.1.2 | 3.1.13-5.4.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | at-spi2-atk-common | 2.10.0-1.1 | 2.10.2-12.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | at-spi2-atk-gtk2 | 2.10.0-1.1 | 2.10.2-12.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | at-spi2-core | 2.10.1-1.1 | 2.10.2-12.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | autofs | 5.0.7-19.1.1 | 5.0.7-19.4.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | bind | 9.9.3P2-2.1.2 | 9.9.4P2-2.8.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | bind-chrootenv | 9.9.3P2-2.1.2 | 9.9.4P2-2.8.1 | i586 v | openSUSE-13.1-Update | bind-libs | 9.9.3P2-2.1.2 | 9.9.4P2-2.8.1 | i586 [...]
To update all installed packages with newer available versions, enter the following command:
# zypper update
To update a particular package, specify the package with either the update or install command:
# zypper update vlc
Or
# zypper install vlc
Upgrade
Upgrading to a new product version (ex.12.3 to 13.1) is very easy.
Refer the following link to easily upgrade to the new product version.
Repository management
To list all installed repositories, enter the following command:
# zypper repos
Or
# zypper lr
Sample output:
# | Alias | Name | Enabled | Refresh ---+--------------------------------+------------------------------------+---------+-------- 1 | download.opensuse.org-database | openSUSE BuildService - Database | Yes | Yes 2 | download.opensuse.org-php | openSUSE BuildService - PHP | Yes | Yes 3 | ftp.gwdg.de-suse | Packman Repository | Yes | Yes 4 | repo-debug | openSUSE-13.1-Debug | Yes | Yes 5 | repo-debug-update | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug | Yes | Yes 6 | repo-debug-update-non-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug-Non-Oss | Yes | Yes 7 | repo-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Oss | Yes | Yes 8 | repo-source | openSUSE-13.1-Source | Yes | Yes 9 | repo-update | openSUSE-13.1-Update | Yes | Yes 10 | repo-update-non-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Non-Oss | Yes | Yes
To add a new repository, enter the following command:
# zypper addrepo URI alias
Example:
To install VLC repository on openSUSE 13.1, enter the following command:
# zypper addrepo http://download.videolan.org/pub/vlc/SuSE/13.1 VLC
Sample output:
Adding repository 'VLC' .................................................................................................................................[done] Repository 'VLC' successfully added Enabled: Yes Autorefresh: No GPG check: Yes URI: http://download.videolan.org/pub/vlc/SuSE/13.1
To update repository list, enter command:
# zypper refresh
Or
# zypper ref
Sample output:
Retrieving repository 'VLC' metadata -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[\] New repository or package signing key received: Key ID: 33DE8FB7C8DA93D2 Key Name: Dominique Leuenberger (VLC openSUSE Repository) <dominique-vlc.suse@leuenberger.net> Key Fingerprint: BC8D780DE3308581B2E0708533DE8FB7C8DA93D2 Key Created: Monday 07 November 2011 03:33:13 PM IST Key Expires: Wednesday 06 November 2013 03:33:13 PM IST (EXPIRED) Repository: VLC Do you want to reject the key, trust temporarily, or trust always? [r/t/a/?] (r): a Retrieving repository 'VLC' metadata ....................................................................................................................[done] Building repository 'VLC' cache .........................................................................................................................[done] Repository 'openSUSE BuildService - Database' is up to date. Repository 'openSUSE BuildService - PHP' is up to date. Repository 'Packman Repository' is up to date. Repository 'openSUSE-13.1-Debug' is up to date. Repository 'openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug' is up to date. Repository 'openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug-Non-Oss' is up to date. Repository 'openSUSE-13.1-Oss' is up to date. Repository 'openSUSE-13.1-Source' is up to date. Repository 'openSUSE-13.1-Update' is up to date. Repository 'openSUSE-13.1-Update-Non-Oss' is up to date. All repositories have been refreshed.
The alias is a shorthand and unique identifier of the repository. You can choose the alias name as per your liking, with the only exception that is has to be unique. Zypper will issue a warning if you specify an alias that is already in use.
To see, if VLC repository is added successfully, enter the following command:
# zypper repos
Or
# zypper lr
Sample output:
# | Alias | Name | Enabled | Refresh
---+--------------------------------+------------------------------------+---------+--------
1 | VLC | VLC | Yes | No
2 | download.opensuse.org-database | openSUSE BuildService - Database | Yes | Yes
3 | download.opensuse.org-php | openSUSE BuildService - PHP | Yes | Yes
4 | ftp.gwdg.de-suse | Packman Repository | Yes | Yes
5 | repo-debug | openSUSE-13.1-Debug | Yes | Yes
6 | repo-debug-update | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug | Yes | Yes
7 | repo-debug-update-non-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug-Non-Oss | Yes | Yes
8 | repo-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Oss | Yes | Yes
9 | repo-source | openSUSE-13.1-Source | Yes | Yes
10 | repo-update | openSUSE-13.1-Update | Yes | Yes
11 | repo-update-non-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Non-Oss | Yes | Yes
As you see in the above output, the VLC repository has been successfully added to alias VLC and repository number 1 (one).
To remove a repository, enter the following command with alias name or repository number as shown below.
# zypper removerepo VLC
or
# zypper rr VLC
Or
# zypper removerepo 1
Or
# zypper rr 1
Sample output:
Removing repository 'VLC' ...............................................................................................................................[done] Repository 'VLC' has been removed.
Modifying Repositories
Like adding and removing repositories, You can enable, disable with modifyrepo and rename repositories with renamerepo commands.
To disable a repository (ex.VLC) enter the following command:
# zypper modifyrepo -d 'VLC'
Sample output:
Repository 'VLC' has been successfully disabled.
Now check whether VLC repository is disabled using “zypper lr“ command:
# zypper lr
Sample output:
# | Alias | Name | Enabled | Refresh ---+--------------------------------+------------------------------------+---------+-------- 1 | VLC | VLC | No | Yes 2 | download.opensuse.org-database | openSUSE BuildService - Database | Yes | Yes 3 | download.opensuse.org-php | openSUSE BuildService - PHP | Yes | Yes 4 | ftp.gwdg.de-suse | Packman Repository | Yes | Yes 5 | repo-debug | openSUSE-13.1-Debug | Yes | Yes 6 | repo-debug-update | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug | Yes | Yes 7 | repo-debug-update-non-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug-Non-Oss | Yes | Yes 8 | repo-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Oss | Yes | Yes 9 | repo-source | openSUSE-13.1-Source | Yes | Yes 10 | repo-update | openSUSE-13.1-Update | Yes | Yes 11 | repo-update-non-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Non-Oss | Yes | Yes
As you see in the above output, VLC repository has been disabled.
Likewise, to enable a repository, use following command:
# zypper modifyrepo -e 'VLC'
Sample output:
Repository 'VLC' has been successfully enabled.
You can also change the repository’s name, priority and refreshing behavior with modifyrepo command.
To enable auto refresh, use “-r” switch:
# zypper modifyrepo -r 'VLC'
Sample output:
Autorefresh has been enabled for repository 'VLC'.
To change the priority of a repository, use “-p” switch.
# zypper modifyrepo -p 5 'VLC'
As per the above command, the priority of the VLC repository has been set to 5.
To rename a repository alias, use the renamerepo command. The following command renames the alias from VLC to VLC-Media-player:
# zypper renamerepo 'VLC' VLC-Media-player
Sample output:
Repository 'VLC' renamed to 'VLC-Media-player'
Check for the changes with the following command:
# zypper lr
Sample output:
# | Alias | Name | Enabled | Refresh
---+--------------------------------+------------------------------------+---------+--------
1 | VLC-Media-player | VLC | Yes | Yes
2 | download.opensuse.org-database | openSUSE BuildService - Database | Yes | Yes
3 | download.opensuse.org-php | openSUSE BuildService - PHP | Yes | Yes
4 | ftp.gwdg.de-suse | Packman Repository | Yes | Yes
5 | repo-debug | openSUSE-13.1-Debug | Yes | Yes
6 | repo-debug-update | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug | Yes | Yes
7 | repo-debug-update-non-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Debug-Non-Oss | Yes | Yes
8 | repo-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Oss | Yes | Yes
9 | repo-source | openSUSE-13.1-Source | Yes | Yes
10 | repo-update | openSUSE-13.1-Update | Yes | Yes
11 | repo-update-non-oss | openSUSE-13.1-Update-Non-Oss | Yes | Yes
We came to the end of the tutorial. I think I covered all the important aspects of Zypper command usage. This is not a complete guide, but I hope you will get the basic idea of Zypper usage.
To know more about zypper usage, refer man pages:
# man zypper
And,
# zypper --help
For the complete and comprehensive guide, refer the official help documents.
Sources & References:
