Re: Post-Install Scripts with User Input

[Bart Whiteley <bwhiteley novell com>]

You should not try to get user input in RPM pre/post install scripts. 
You might think it is an acceptable thing to do if you are just 
installing RPMs from the command line.  However, what if the 
RPM gets installed with gnoRPM, kpackage, up2date, Red Carpet, 
or Webmin?  How will these applications be able to answer the 
prompts of your scripts?  

The non-interactive nature of RPMs makes them more flexible 
in this way. 

I would recommend including a script or utility to be installed 
by your RPM.  The user should explicitly run this script after the 
RPM has been installed, through whatever means the user chooses
to install the RPM.  This script or utility can then ask the user questions
and modify the system files. 

On Wednesday 10 September 2003 08:34 am, lance.mcgrath@abbott.com wrote:
> I'm fairly new to RPMs, but I've been compiling one for use on several of
> our internal machines.  So far, I've loved the capabilities I've found
> within the spec file, specifically the use of shell scripts in the
> post-installation.  However, in one of my scripts I modify system files,
> and I would like to prompt the user before so doing.  When I issue a
> "read" command in the spec file, though, (and the script works fine if run
> from a normal shell environment) the shell does not wait for user input,
> but simply continues on to the next line.  Can anyone tell me why, and if
> so, how to get around that?
>
> Thanks in advance!
> Lance
>
>
>
> From the desk of:
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>------- Lance R. McGrath, Network Administrator
> Abbott Laboratories Network Management Services
> Phone: 847-937-8376
> E-mail: lance.mcgrath@abbott.com
> Pager: 877-390-8696 / lancemcgrath@skytel.com
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>-------

-- 
Bart Whiteley <bwhiteley@novell.com>
Novell, Inc., the leading provider of information solutions
http://www.novell.com/