Purpose of INDEX file

[Lowell Gilbert]

Gerard Seibert <gerard-seibert at 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.