How do I use rpm to update/replace existing files?

Question

I have several applications that I wish to deploy using rpm. Some of the files in my application deployments override files from other deployed packages. Simply including

Answer 1

See here for more info on RPM %files directives:

http://www.rpm.org/max-rpm/s1-rpm-inside-files-list-directives.html

You can use the arguments from the %post and %pre sections in the RPM scriptlets to determine if you are installing, upgrading or removing packages.

If $1 is 0 - then we're removing old stuff. Targeting 0 packages installed. If $1 is 1 - then we're installing new stuff. Targeting a total of 1 package to be installed. If $1 is 2 or more - then we're upgrading this package and $1 represents the number of packages already installed.

These sections help with managing files among the versions. Keep track of what you're doing between versions and consider what one might do if they were to skip a version or two.

Have consideration for these things and you should be good to go!