LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
An RPM-based system reports a file conflict during package installation. Which option to the rpm command will allow the installation to overwrite files from another package?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates choose --force because it sounds like it would force overwrites, but it is a blunt instrument that also skips dependency checks, which is not what the question asks for.
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
✓
--replacefiles
The --replacefiles option tells rpm to overwrite files that already exist on the system from a different package, resolving file conflicts during installation. This is the correct and targeted way to allow overwriting without bypassing other important checks.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
--force
Why it's wrong here
While --force includes --replacefiles, it also includes other options; --replacefiles is the specific one for file conflicts.
- ✓
--replacefiles
Why this is correct
The --replacefiles option instructs rpm to overwrite files owned by other installed packages, resolving the conflict and allowing installation to proceed. Without it, rpm aborts to protect the existing package's files, so the conflict blocks the transaction.
- ✗
--nodeps
Why it's wrong here
--nodeps skips dependency verification, not file-conflict resolution, so the conflicting files still block installation. It is tempting because it does suppress one class of installation refusal, and would be the right choice when dependencies are already satisfied manually or deliberately unmet.
- ✗
--justdb
Why it's wrong here
--justdb updates only the RPM database, leaving the conflicting files on disk untouched, so the installation still aborts. It is tempting because it genuinely bypasses filesystem writes, which is the correct behaviour when repairing or rebuilding a corrupted RPM database without reinstalling package contents.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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.