sysmaint-scripts-slackware

Automated system maintenance scripts for Slackware, including package updates, Perl module updates, and Python PIP module updates.

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Prerequisites

Required

• slapt-get – Slackware package manager extension for dependency handling and updates. Installation & info: https://github.com/jaos/slapt-get

• Perl – Base Perl interpreter. The perthings script updates Perl modules via CPAN. Optional CPAN utilities may include cpan-outdated.

• Python & pip – Base Python interpreter. The pipthings script updates Python packages via pip-review.

Optional / Recommended

• needrestart – Detects services that need restarting after package updates. Installation & info: https://github.com/liske/needrestart

• wmctrl – Moves open file manager windows to specific workspaces. SlackBuild: https://slackbuilds.org/result/?search=wmctrl&sv= Alternative / upstream: https://github.com/dancor/wmctrl

• xdotool – Alternative for moving windows in XWayland or Wayland via XWayland.

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Included Scripts

1. System Updates (sysmaint-scripts-slackware)

• Uses slapt-get to update system packages.

• Handles:

  • MD5 mismatches
  • HTTP errors
  • Excluded packages and sources

• Supports moving the file manager window to a specific workspace for visibility.

Example usage:

windowtomoveto="4"
wintomv="/path/to/package/dir"
. /etc/windowlabelandmove.sh
wlm-fn_windowlabelandmove

2. Perl Module Updates (perthings)

• Updates Perl modules via cpan.

• Excludes modules listed in ExcludedModules.

• Attempts updates up to 5 times to handle dependency chains.

• Tracks:

  • Modules successfully updated
  • Excluded modules installed
  • Excluded modules not installed
  • Failed updates

Configure excluded modules:

ExcludedModules="Image::Magick,ExtUtils::Command,ExtUtils::Install,File::Temp,DBD::mysql,Time::Piece"

Run script:

./perthings.sh

3. Python PIP Updates (pipthings)

• Updates Python packages via pip-review.
• Clears pip cache on each attempt.
• Loops up to 5 times to handle recursive dependency installations.
• Skips if everything is already up-to-date.

Run script:

./pipthings.sh

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Notes

• The scripts are designed for unattended execution (e.g., cron jobs), but some display behavior (workspace/window moves) may require a running X server.
• Excluded modules/packages allow safe skipping of critical or problematic items.
• The scripts use set -euo pipefail for strict error handling wherever appropriate.
• To remove a Perl module manually:

perldoc -l Module::Name
rm -rf /path/to/module.pm

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License

MIT License – see the LICENSE file for details.

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