LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
A technician needs to remove a package named 'apache2' along with its configuration files from a Debian system. Which command should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse 'apt-get remove' with 'apt-get purge', mistakenly thinking 'remove' also deletes configuration files, or they incorrectly assume 'dpkg -r' performs a purge, when in fact it only removes the package without configuration cleanup.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
apt-get purge apache2
The 'apt-get purge' command removes the specified package along with its configuration files from a Debian system. Unlike 'remove', which leaves configuration files intact, 'purge' deletes both the package binaries and the associated configuration data from /etc and other locations, fulfilling the requirement to remove 'apache2' completely.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
dpkg -r apache2
Why it's wrong here
dpkg -r removes the package but leaves its configuration files on disk, so the stated requirement is unmet. It is tempting because dpkg operates directly on the local package database, yet it would be correct when you intend to reinstall later and want existing configuration preserved.
- ✗
apt-get autoremove apache2
Why it's wrong here
autoremove deletes packages that were installed automatically as dependencies and are no longer needed; it does not purge apache2's configuration files. It is tempting as a cleanup command, yet it would be correct after removing a package to clear orphaned dependencies no longer required by anything.
- ✓
apt-get purge apache2
Why this is correct
`apt-get purge apache2` removes both the package and its configuration files, satisfying the stem's explicit requirement to delete configuration alongside the package. Unlike `remove`, which leaves conffiles on disk, `purge` deletes them, so no residual settings remain on the Debian system.
- ✗
apt-get remove apache2
Why it's wrong here
apt-get remove uninstalls the package binaries but retains configuration files, contradicting the purge requirement. It is tempting because it resolves dependencies cleanly, yet it would be correct when you want the package gone while keeping its configuration for a future reinstall.
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Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-1 exam.