16.2. The Python API Hierarchy

⁠16.2. The Python API Hierarchy

The RPM Python API provides a high-level abstraction into RPM functionality divided into logical areas. Table 17-1 lists the main RPM types. In most cases, you need to begin with rpm and create a transaction set.

Table 17-1 Python types for RPM usage

Class	Covers
rpm	RPM base module into RPM API
rpmts	Transaction sets
rpmte	Transaction elements, a package in a transaction set
rpmmi	Match iterators, used for querying the RPM database
Rpmds	Dependency set
Rpmfi	File into set
Header	A package header

In general, the RPM Python API is well-integrated into the standard Python API. For example, you use the Python os class to read in RPM package files.

Note

The examples in this chapter use the RPM 4.1 Python API. The API in previous versions is significantly different from the 4.1 version.