Debian Package Management

This is a stub. Please feel free to give this article love and attention if you know more about this topic than we have here.

overview

this class should outline the basics of debian package management- searching, installing, updating and removing software.

background

prerequisites

• basic familiarity with commandline and Command Line 2
• basic familiarity with linux

tips for working environment

• keep a web browser pointed to this page
• open several terminal windows
• don't forget to use the "man" command, or -h and --help
• commandline reminders
  • remember to use tab completion.
  • hit tab twice, fast.
  • hit tab again!
  • remember to use the up arrow to re-do a previous command
  • keep hitting tab!

topics covered

apt

apt

where to get software from: /etc/apt/sources.list

apt-get update

apt-get upgrade

apt-get dist-upgrade

apt-get remove

apt-get clean

apt-get autoclean

apt-cache search

apt-cache policy

pinning: /etc/apt/preferences

aptitude

aptitude

similar to apt, but more sophisticated. has a text-only menu system.

dpkg

underneath it all, lies dpkg

dpkg -l

dpkg --get-selections

dpkg -L

dpkg -S

dpkg -i

synaptic

synaptic

it's graphical. point and click your way to carpal tunnel.