install(1M)install(1M)NAMEinstall - install commands
SYNOPSIS
dira] dirb] dirc] group] user] file [dirx ...]
DESCRIPTION
is a command most commonly used in ``makefiles'' (see make(1)) to
install a file (updated target file) in a specific place within a file
system. Each file is installed by copying it into the appropriate
directory, thereby retaining the mode and owner of the original com‐
mand. The program prints messages telling the user exactly what files
it is replacing or creating and where they are going.
is useful for installing new commands, or new versions of existing com‐
mands, in the standard directories (i.e. etc.).
If no options or directories (dirx...) are given, searches a set of
default directories and in that order) for a file with the same name as
file. When the first occurrence is found, issues a message saying that
it is overwriting that file with file (the new version), and proceeds
to do so. If the file is not found, the program states this and exits
without further action.
If one or more directories (dirx ...) are specified after file, those
directories are searched before the directories specified in the
default list.
Options
Options are interpreted as follows:
Installs a new command
(file) in the directory specified by dira, only
if it is not found. If it is found, issues a
message saying that the file already exists, and
exits without overwriting it. Can be used alone
or with the option.
Forces file to be installed in given directory, whether
or not one already exists. If the file being
installed does not already exist, the mode and
owner of the new file will be set to and respec‐
tively. If the file already exists, the mode and
owner will be that of the already existing file.
Can be used alone or with the or options.
Ignores default directory list,
searching only through the given directories
(dirx ...). Can be used alone or with any other
options other than and
If file is not found in any of the searched directo‐
ries, it is put in the directory specified in
dirc. The mode and owner of the new file will be
set to and respectively. Can be used alone or
with any other options other than and
If file is found, this option saves the ``found''
file by copying it to in the directory in which
it was found. This option is useful when
installing a normally busy text file such as or
where the existing file cannot be removed. Can
be used alone or with any other options other
than
Causes file to be owned by group group. This option is
available only to users who have appropriate
privileges. Can be used alone or with any other
option.
Causes file to be owned by user user. This option is
available only to users who have appropriate
privileges. Can be used alone or with any other
option.
Suppresses printing of messages other than error messages.
Can be used alone or with any other options.
When no directories are specified (dirx ...), or when file cannot be
placed in one of the directories specified, checks for the existence of
the file If exists, it is used to determine the final destination of
file. If does not exist, the default directory list is further scanned
to determine where file is to be located.
The file contains a list of absolute pathnames, one per line. The
pathname is the "official" destination (for example of the file as it
appears on a file system. The file serves as a master list for system
command destinations. If there is no entry for file in the file the
default directory list is further scanned to determine where file is to
be located.
Cross Generation
The environment variable is used to locate the locations file (in the
form This is necessary in cases where cross generation is being done on
a production system. Furthermore, each pathname in is appended to (for
example, and used as the destination for file. Also, the default
directories are also appended to so that the default directories are
actually and
The file does not exist on a distribution tape; it is created and used
by local sites.
WARNINGS
cannot create alias links for a command (for example, vi(1) is an alias
link for ex(1)).
SEE ALSOmake(1), cpset(1M).
install(1M)
