Linux-cliHow-ToBeginner · 4 min read

How to Use dnf Command: Basic Syntax and Examples

The dnf command is a package manager used in Fedora and related Linux distributions to install, update, and remove software packages. You use it with commands like dnf install, dnf update, and dnf remove followed by the package name.

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Syntax

The basic syntax of the dnf command is:

dnf [options] command [package_name]

Here:

command is the action you want to perform, like install, update, or remove.
package_name is the name of the software package you want to manage.
options are extra flags to modify behavior, like -y to auto-confirm prompts.

bash

dnf [options] command [package_name]

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Example

This example shows how to install the vim text editor using dnf. It also shows how to update all packages and remove a package.

bash

sudo dnf install vim -y
sudo dnf update -y
sudo dnf remove vim -y

Output

Last metadata expiration check: 0:00:10 ago on Thu 01 Jan 2024 12:00:00 PM UTC. Dependencies resolved. ================================================================================ Package Arch Version Repository Size ================================================================================ Installing: vim x86_64 8.2.3456-1.fc36 fedora 3.5 M Transaction Summary ================================================================================ Install 1 Package Total download size: 3.5 M Installed size: 12 M Downloading Packages: vim-8.2.3456-1.fc36.x86_64.rpm 3.5 MB/s | 3.5 MB 00:01 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 3.5 MB/s | 3.5 MB 00:01 Running transaction check Transaction check succeeded. Running transaction test Transaction test succeeded. Running transaction Preparing : 1/1 Installing : vim-8.2.3456-1.fc36.x86_64 1/1 Running scriptlet: vim-8.2.3456-1.fc36.x86_64 1/1 Verifying : vim-8.2.3456-1.fc36.x86_64 1/1 Installed: vim.x86_64 8.2.3456-1.fc36 Complete! Last metadata expiration check: 0:00:10 ago on Thu 01 Jan 2024 12:00:00 PM UTC. Dependencies resolved. Nothing to do. Complete! Last metadata expiration check: 0:00:10 ago on Thu 01 Jan 2024 12:00:00 PM UTC. Dependencies resolved. ================================================================================ Package Arch Version Repository Size ================================================================================ Removing: vim x86_64 8.2.3456-1.fc36 @fedora 12 M Transaction Summary ================================================================================ Remove 1 Package Installed size: 12 M Removing: vim.x86_64 8.2.3456-1.fc36 Complete!

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Common Pitfalls

Some common mistakes when using dnf include:

Not using sudo for commands that require admin rights, causing permission errors.
Forgetting the -y option, which makes dnf wait for confirmation and pause scripts.
Trying to install a package that does not exist or is misspelled, resulting in errors.

Always check package names and use dnf search <keyword> to find correct names.

bash

dnf install vim
sudo dnf install vim -y

Output

Error: You need to be root to perform this command. or Is this ok [y/N]: y Installing: vim Complete!

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Quick Reference

Command	Description
dnf install	Install a package
dnf update	Update all packages
dnf remove	Remove a package
dnf search	Search for packages
dnf info	Show package details
dnf clean all	Clear cache and metadata

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Key Takeaways

Use dnf with sudo to manage packages on Fedora-based Linux.

Common commands include install, update, and remove.

Add -y to auto-confirm prompts and avoid pauses.

Use dnf search to find correct package names before installing.

Check for permission errors by ensuring you run commands as root or with sudo.