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To: Gerard Seibert <gerard-seibert@suscom.net>
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From: Lowell Gilbert <freebsd-questions-local@be-well.ilk.org>
Date: 18 May 2005 18:40:20 -0400
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Subject: Re: Purpose of INDEX file
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Gerard Seibert <gerard-seibert@suscom.net> writes:

> I know that 'portupgrade' uses the INDEX file. What I am not sure of,
> is if I need the file if I am not using 'portupgrade'. I use
> 'portmanager' which claims it does not require the INDEX file. If I do
> not need it, then I assume it is safe to not bother building it or
> fetching one.
> 
> Does the INDEX file serve any other purpose?

Several, none of them really critical.  pkg_which, "make search",
etc.  So I would recommend keeping one around, but not necessarily
worrying about keeping it completely up to date.