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Diffstat (limited to 'doc/manual/package-management.xml')
| -rw-r--r-- | doc/manual/package-management.xml | 39 |
1 files changed, 24 insertions, 15 deletions
diff --git a/doc/manual/package-management.xml b/doc/manual/package-management.xml index 0b0e57504a37..b827ae75b6c5 100644 --- a/doc/manual/package-management.xml +++ b/doc/manual/package-management.xml @@ -369,30 +369,39 @@ $ nix-env --delete-generations 10 11 14</screen> garbage collector as follows: <screen> -$ nix-collect-garbage</screen> +$ nix-store --gc</screen> -You can alo first view what files would be deleted: +If you are feeling uncertain, you can also first view what files would +be deleted: <screen> -$ nix-collect-garbage --print-dead</screen> +$ nix-store --gc --print-dead</screen> Likewise, the option <option>--print-live</option> will show the paths that <emphasis>won’t</emphasis> be deleted.</para> + <sect2 id="ssec-gc-roots"><title>Garbage collector roots</title> -<para>TODO</para> - -<para>The garbage collector uses as roots all store expressions -mentioned in all files with extension <filename>.gcroot</filename> in -the directory -<filename><replaceable>prefix</replaceable>/var/nix/gcroots/</filename>, -or in any file or directory symlinked to from that directory. E.g., -by default, -<filename><replaceable>prefix</replaceable>/var/nix/gcroots/</filename> -contains a symlink to -<filename><replaceable>prefix</replaceable>/var/nix/profiles/</filename>, -so all generations of all profiles are also roots of the collector.</para> +<para>The roots of the garbage collector are all store paths to which +there are symlinks in the directory +<filename><replaceable>prefix</replaceable>/nix/var/nix/gcroots</filename>. +For instance, the following command makes the path +<filename>/nix/store/d718ef...-foo</filename> a root of the collector: + +<screen> +$ ln -s /nix/store/d718ef...-foo /nix/var/nix/gcroots/bar</screen> + +That is, after this command, the garbage collector will not remove +<filename>/nix/store/d718ef...-foo</filename> or any of its +dependencies.</para> + +<para>Subdirectories of +<filename><replaceable>prefix</replaceable>/nix/var/nix/gcroots</filename> +are also searched for symlinks. Symlinks to non-store paths are +followed and searched for roots, but symlinks to non-store paths +<emphasis>inside</emphasis> the paths reached in that way are not +followed to prevent infinite recursion.</para> </sect2> |