Excluding packages in DNF

In the file /etc/dnf/dnf.conf, you can enter which packages need to be excluded.

I like to exclude java packages, until I am ready for them (as they require a reboot of my application server):

[main]
gpgcheck=1
installonly_limit=3
clean_requirements_on_remove=true
exclude=java*

Or for instance:

[main]
gpgcheck=1
installonly_limit=3
clean_requirements_on_remove=true
exclude=kernel* java*

When I am ready to install all packages, regardless of excludes, I can use the commandline below.

$ dnf -y update --disableexcludes=all

References

Fedora 24: Exclude package from update

https://www.hiroom2.com/2016/07/07/fedora-24-exclude-package-from-update/

SysTutorials - Making dnf/yum Not Update Certain Packages

https://www.systutorials.com/1661/making-dnf-yum-not-update-certain-packages/

package.html vs. package-info.java

Found a good reference¹ on why you should use a package-info.java class.

Notes:

• can contain (package) annotations
• package-info is not a legal identifier for a class². So there's no chance of mistakes from the compiler.
• “It is recommended that package-info.java, if it is present, take the place of package.html for javadoc and other similar documentation generation systems.”²
• you're not messing up your source files with .html files, which was in fact the case with the old package.html.

References

[1] Javadoc: package.html or package-info.java

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3644726/javadoc-package-html-or-package-info-java

[2] The Java™ Language Specification - Java SE 7

http://docs.oracle.com/javase/specs/