How do I extract a RPM file?

Question

I've RPM file of which I want to examine its file contents. For .deb packages, I can use dpkg -x file.deb to extract it.

What is the equivalent command for a .rpm file? I'm looking for a command-line application.

enzotib · Accepted Answer · 2011-07-07 20:54:52Z

up vote 13 down vote accepted

file-roller seems to open rpm files. Alternatively you can use the command:

rpm2cpio /path/to/file.rpm | cpio -i --make-directories

that will extract the rpm content to the current directory

answered Jul 7 '11 at 20:54

enzotib
24.1k13468

Thanks, I just came across it: rpm2cpio file.rpm | cpio --extract --make-directories – Lekensteyn Jul 7 '11 at 20:57

andybleaden · Answer 2 · 2011-07-07 21:19:27Z

up vote 3 down vote

As far as I remember you have to use a app called alien which transforms .rpm to deb files. Use a terminal to do :

sudo apt-get install alien

then

sudo alien -d nameofyourpackage.rpm (-d for Debian package)

If you then need to examine it you can resort to your dpkg -x file.deb method

edited Jul 7 '11 at 21:19

answered Jul 7 '11 at 20:57

andybleaden
1,313320

rpm2cpio seems to work fine, so I haven't tried this one. – Lekensteyn Jul 7 '11 at 21:01

1

this has the drawback of creating a .deb first. – enzotib Jul 7 '11 at 21:16

2 Answers