To install packages on your Mandriva system, you use the urpmi command. The urpmi command will install the requested package(s) along with any dependencies they may require. There are many options that can be used with the urpmi command, I'll start with a couple examples using the most common options, to give you an idea on the syntax used, and then list all the options. Keep in mind that urpmi is a root command and needs to be run as the root user.

The most common use of urpmi is installing a single package. An example of this is as follows: 

urpmi mozilla-firefox

The above command will install mozilla-firefox and any dependencies it may require.

You can also install multiple packages at a time by using the following: 

urpmi mozilla-firefox mozilla-thunderbird gcal

The above command would install those 3 packages and any dependencies required by them.

Another commonly used urpmi command is for updating every package on the system and is as follows: 

urpmi.update -a && urpmi --auto-select --auto

As you can see, combining options is allowed.

Below is a complete list of flags/options you can pass with urpmi: 

  --help         - print this help message.

  --media        - use only the given media, separated by comma.

  --excludemedia - do not use the given media, separated by comma.

  --update       - use only update media.

  --searchmedia  - use only the given media to search requested packages.

  --sortmedia    - sort media according to substrings separated by comma.

  --synthesis    - use the given synthesis instead of urpmi db.

  --auto         - non-interactive mode, assume default answers to questions.

  --auto-select  - automatically select packages to upgrade the system.

  --no-uninstall - never ask to uninstall a package, abort the installation.

  --no-install   - don't install packages (only download)

  --keep         - keep existing packages if possible, reject requested
                   packages that lead to removals.

  --split-level  - split in small transaction if more than given packages
                   are going to be installed or upgraded,
                   default is 20.

  --split-length - small transaction length, default is 1.

  --fuzzy, -y    - impose fuzzy search.

  --src, -s      - next package is a source package.

  --install-src  - install only source package (no binaries).

  --clean        - remove rpm from cache before anything else.

  --noclean      - don't clean rpms from cache.

  --force        - force invocation even if some packages do not exist.

  --allow-nodeps - allow asking user to install packages without
                   dependencies checking.

  --allow-force  - allow asking user to install packages without
                   dependencies checking and integrity.

  --parallel     - distributed urpmi across machines of alias.
  --root         - use another root for rpm installation.

  --use-distrib  - configure urpmi on the fly from a distrib tree, useful
                   to install a chroot with --root option.

  --wget         - use wget to retrieve distant files.

  --curl         - use curl to retrieve distant files.

  --curl-options - additional options to pass to curl.

  --rsync-options- additional options to pass to rsync.

  --wget-options - additional options to pass to wget.

  --limit-rate   - limit the download speed.

  --resume       - resume transfer of partially-downloaded files
                   (--no-resume disables it, default is disabled).

  --proxy        - use specified HTTP proxy, the port number is assumed
                   to be 1080 by default (format is <proxyhost[:port]>).

  --proxy-user   - specify user and password to use for proxy
                   authentication (format is <user:password>).

  --bug          - output a bug report in directory indicated by
                   next arg.

  --env          - use specific environment (typically a bug report).

  --verify-rpm   - verify rpm signature before installation
                   (--no-verify-rpm disables it, default is enabled).

  --test         - only verify if the installation can be achieved correctly.

  --excludepath  - exclude path separated by comma.

  --excludedocs  - exclude doc files.

  --ignoresize   - don't verify disk space before installation.

  --ignorearch   - allow to install rpms for unmatched architectures.

  --noscripts    - do not execute package scriptlet(s).

  --repackage    - Re-package the files before erasing.

  --skip         - packages which installation should be skipped.

  --more-choices - when several packages are found, propose more choices
                   than the default.

  --norebuild    - don't try to rebuild hdlist if not readable.

  --nolock       - don't lock rpm db.

  --strict-arch  - upgrade only packages with the same architecture.

  -a             - select all matches on command line.

  -p             - allow search in provides to find package.

  -P             - do not search in provides to find package.

  -q             - quiet mode.

  -v             - verbose mode.