[Nix-dev] some basic questions from a new NixOS user

[Peter Simons]

Hi Linus,

 > The "nix-env -qaP \*" command does work, but I am unable to make sense
 > of the output. For example, there is this line:
 >
 >     nixpkgs_sys.haskellPackages_ghc704_no_profiling.xmonad      haskell-xmonad-ghc7.0.4-0.10
 >
 > I can see that the second column is the package name, but what is the
 > first column? How do I use it so I can use the "nix-env -iA" syntax?

That attribute path is what "nix-env -iA" expects, i.e.:

  nix-env -iA nixpkgs_sys.haskellPackages_ghc704_no_profiling.xmonad

Note that "haskellPackages_ghc704_no_profiling" and "haskellPackages"
are synonymous at the moment.


 > The nix-env manpage explicitly says "nix-env -qaA '*'" gives the
 > attribute paths. Could this be a typo in the manpage?

Yes, it is. :-) I'll commit a fix.

Take care,
Peter