rpm -e -- What Does it Do?

The rpm -e command (--erase is equivalent) removes, or erases, one or more packages from the system. RPM performs a series of steps whenever it erases a package:

• It checks the RPM database to make sure that no other packages depend on the package being erased.

• It executes a pre-uninstall script (if one exists).

• It checks to see if any of the package's config files have been modified. If so, it saves copies of them.

• It reviews the RPM database to find every file listed as being part of the package, and if they do not belong to another package, deletes them.

• It executes a post-uninstall script (if one exists).

• It removes all traces of the package (and the files belonging to it) from the RPM database.

That's quite a bit of activity for a single command. No wonder RPM can be such a time-saver!