Author: Aaron Turner
Email Address: aturner@pobox.com
Web Page (if applicable): www.pobox.com/~aturner
Original date of FAQ topic: 7/11/97
Date FAQ topic was last modified: N/A
One-line summary of topic\question:
	What is RPM?
Related Links:
	http://www.redhat.com/products/rpmb.html  - Maxiumum RPM Book Info
	ftp://ftp.rpm.org/			  - RPM manager site
Answer:

RPM stands for "Redhat Package Manager"

Think of it sorta like Windoz Installation Wizard only better.  One click
(if you're using GLINT- the X Windows front end) installs\upgrades\removes
a program.  No confusing questions, no hassles.  Most programs are
configured right out of the RPM.  Beyond that, there's all sorts of extra
features that help among other things: 

-Checking for deleted files
-Checking for changed files (due possibly to a hacker)
-Checking for proper security on files
-Provides an easy way to make sure your programs are compatible (will
	check for dependancies)
-Answers the question: what program is this file for?

Plus many more.  There's a great book called Maximum RPM that is
available on RedHat's web site that not only tells you all about it, but
how to use it to it's fullest.  A definate must read.

There is also a command-line interface to the RPM package manager- 'rpm'.
This contains many more features than in GLINT.  See the man page for more
information on using 'rpm'.

