Quick Answer
The correct command is apt-get purge apache2. This is the proper way to remove a package and config files on Debian because the purge option goes beyond a standard removal by deleting both the package binaries and all associated configuration data stored in directories like /etc, whereas apt-get remove leaves those configuration files behind. On the Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 1 LPIC-1 exam, this distinction is frequently tested to ensure you understand package management nuances; a common trap is confusing remove with purge when the objective explicitly requires eliminating configuration files. Remember the memory tip: "purge" sounds like "purge the entire record," meaning it wipes out both the software and its settings completely.
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of linux installation and package management. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician needs to remove a package named 'apache2' along with its configuration files from a Debian system. Which command should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
dpkg -r apache2
Why wrong: Same as remove, leaves config files.
apt-get autoremove apache2
Why wrong: autoremove removes orphaned dependencies, not the specified package.
apt-get purge apache2
Removes package and config files.
apt-get remove apache2
Why wrong: Leaves configuration files.
Answer choices
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
Option C is correct because 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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
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
Same as remove, leaves config files.
apt-get autoremove apache2
Why it's wrong here
autoremove removes orphaned dependencies, not the specified package.
apt-get purge apache2
Why this is correct
Removes package and config files.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
apt-get remove apache2
Why it's wrong here
Leaves configuration files.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often 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.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, 'apt-get purge' invokes dpkg with the --purge option, which not only removes the package files but also runs the package's prerm and postrm scripts with the 'purge' argument to delete configuration files. In real-world scenarios, purging is critical when troubleshooting misconfigured services or preparing for a clean reinstall, as leftover configuration files can cause conflicts or security issues. The distinction between 'remove' and 'purge' is a common point of confusion, but the key is that 'purge' explicitly targets configuration files in addition to binaries.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-1 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Linux Installation and Package Management — This question tests Linux Installation and Package Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: apt-get purge apache2 — Option C is correct because 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Based on the exhibit, what does the 'rc' status for the package 'apache2-bin' indicate?
mediumWhy D: In Debian-based package management (dpkg/APT), the 'rc' status code means the package was marked for removal ('r') but its configuration files were left behind ('c'). This occurs when using 'apt-get remove' or 'dpkg -r' without the --purge option, leaving residual config files in /etc or other locations.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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