Is rm (remove) same as uninstalling?

[rominosj]

Hi everyone,

Just learning this Linux thing...

I installed Ubuntu fine.
Downloaded and installed Xampp fine (or so I thought)

When I went to try mysql on the terminal, I got an error saying I had not isntalled it, so I downloaded the terminal, then I got an error stating I had not installed the server, so I downloaded the server, and installed it...

Now, my Xampp (phpmyadmin) configuration is messed up because there are two mysql installations...

Can I just use rm to remove? Or, do I have to uninstall it somehow?

How come the mysql terminal for Xampp did not run the way it does when installed for Windows...It was already there, because now the systems says I got two...strange thing this Linux.

SJ

[graeme_p]

It looks like you can use rm:

[apachefriends.org...]

In my opinion Xampp for Linux is a bad idea. You should almost always install software for Linux though the package manager (the equivalent of an app store). That way you get fewer problems, auto updates, and less work all round.

There are several says to do this. The quickest is probably to type this into a terminal:

sudo apt-get install tasksel
sudo tasksel install lamp-server

Then

Install PHPMyAdmin: [help.ubuntu.com ]

GUI alternative:

1) Open Ubuntu Software Manager
2) Install Synaptic
3) Install tasksel
4) Close Software manager
5) Open Synaptic
6) Edit > mark packages by task
7) Select "LAMP server" and click OK.
8) Click "apply" button in toolbar
6) search for and phpmyadmin, click on tickbox and select "mark for installation".
7) Click "apply" button again.

Compared to XAMPP:

The main disadvantage is that you have to install some extra stuff separately (e.g. phpmyadmin)

The advantages are the auto-updates, and that the package manager knows that you have Apache, PHP etc. installed, so you can install any other Apache modules, PHP libraries, etc. you need through the package manager.

[graeme_p]

Just to add, if you install stuff properly (using the package manger) do NOT rm, but uninstall using the package manager as well.

package manager on Ubuntu means using any of apt-get from the command line, Synaptic, Software Centre, or a few more obscure methods.

[mack]

I agree with Graeme_p. RM will remove a package manually, but it will almost certainly effect your software tree. Linux software is installed along with any dependencies that the package installer works out are required.

By removing one thing, you will be left with packages you do not need. The package you remove using RM will also not be able to be installed using the package manager, because it will still think it's installed.

The problem may become worse if you piece of software you removed is a dependency for something you later install.

Mack.

[Planet13]

In my opinion Xampp for Linux is a bad idea.

Two quick questions:

1) Does this apply to LAMP as well as to Xampp?

2) I am not sure whether I installed lamp on my current machine or installed all the apps piece by piece using sudo apt-get / synaptic package manager. Is there an easy way to confirm which way I installed Apache, PHP, MySQL, etc.,?

Thanks in advance.

~~~~~

EDIT:

for question number 2, I went into synaptic package manager and I searched for apache and clicked the "installed" filter. It returned such programs as:

apache2 (2.2.22-lubuntu1.4)
apache2-mpm-prefork
apache2-utils
apache2.2-bin

and about 8 other files (didn't count exactly how many).

synaptic also listed one file as upgradeable, so I am guessing I MUST HAVE used syaptic / sudo app-get to install the various LAMP components instead of doing a one click installation.

[graeme_p]

1) Not sure what you mean. Anything that bypasses the package manager is bad.

The easy way of installing the LAMP stack on Ubuntu is the tasksel way above which installs a group of related packages in one go. I do not understand why metapackages are used for some things and tasksel for others.

2) If it shows in Synaptic, then it was properly installed.

The problem with using something like XAMPP is that the package manager will not know about it - which means it will not show up in Synaptic. It also means it will need manual upgrades, and dependency management will not work right.