3.5. Common RPM directives in the %files section of spec

%license

The %license macro identifies the file listed as a license. RPM installs and labels this file as the license, for example, %license LICENSE.

%doc

The %doc macro identifies a file listed as a documentation file. RPM installs and labels this file as the documentation file, for example, %doc README.

The %doc macro is used for documentation about the packaged software, code examples, and various accompanying items. Note that if code examples are included, you must be careful when removing executable mode from the file.

%dir

The %dir macro ensures that the path is a directory owned by the RPM package. The RPM file manifest then accurately detects which directories to clean up during the uninstall operation.

Example usage:

%dir %{_libdir}/%{name}

%config(noreplace)

The %config(noreplace) macro ensures that the file is a configuration file. This file, therefore, must not be overwritten or replaced during a package installation or update if the file has been modified from the original installation checksum. If there is a change, the file will be created with .rpmnew appended at the end of the filename upon upgrade or installation. Therefore, the pre-existing or modified file on the target system remains unchanged.

Example usage:

%config(noreplace) %{_sysconfdir}/%{name}/%{name}.conf