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== Package Management Tools ## page was renamed from PackageManagement/PkgTools
## page was renamed from PkgTools
#language en
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The are several tools available on a Debian system for the management of packages and the [PkgDB package database]. ||<tablestyle="width: 100%;" style="border: 0px hidden">~-[[DebianWiki/EditorGuide#translation|Translation(s)]]: English - [[es/PackageManagement/PkgTools|Español]] - [[fr/PackageManagement/PkgTools|Français]] - [[it/PackageManagement/PkgTools|Italiano]] - [[ko/PackageManagement/PkgTools|한국어(Korean)]] -~<style="text-align: right; border: 0px hidden"> (!) [[/Discussion|Discussion]]||
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=== _Tools for everyday use_ ----
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| [dselect] | The default [ncurses] based package manager.
| [synaptic] | This is an [X11] based package mananger.
Many tools available on a Debian system can be used for PackageManagement. Commonly used ones include:
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=== _Tools for advanced use_ '''[[CommandLineInterface|command-line]]:'''
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| [apt] | Advanced package tool
| [apt-key] | This tool is used for managing package authentication keys
| [dpkg] | This is the main utility program that handles installation and removal of packages. All other tools are frontends for dpkg, and many users rarely use this tool directly.
| [apt-get] | Used to organize the installation of packages (dpkg does the actual installing, apt-get handles dependencies, etc).
| [apt-cache] | Used to search the contents of the entire package database in the [sources] list (as opposed to dpkg searches, which only search the contents of installed packages).
| [dpkg-deb] | This tool is used to pack, unpack and provides information about package files.
| [dpkg-divert] | A tool for installing a package in a non-default location
| [dpkg-query] | A tool for querying the package database
| [dpkg-statoverride] | A tool for overriding modes and ownerships of files
| [apt-file] | This tool searches for a filename installed by any package in the contents of sources.list.
| [apt-listchanges] | This tool displays the relevant changelog entries whenever a package is upgraded.
| [apt-build] | Used to build packages from the source filesof this and haven't tried it myself. :)
| [apt-cdrom] | This tool allows [cdrom] based sources to be included in the package sources list.
| [apt-rdepends] | This tool generates recursive dependency trees for a package.
| [apt-spy] | This tool is used to generate a sources.list file from the current list of mirrors, based on latency/bandwidth.
| [apt-show-versions] | shows all available versions of a package (allows wildcards), or all packages, and displays upgrade information where applicable.
| [dpkg-reconfigure] | Allows a package to be reconfigured based on preferences (the same questions that are asked when the package is first installed).
| [apt-show-source] | This is a variant of "apt-cache show" that shows information against the named source package, rather than the binary package.
| [apt-listbugs] | This tool shows known critical bugs in named packages.
| [apt-zip] | This tool allows non-networked machines to export a list of packages selected for install using removable media.
| [apt-config] | This program is used by the other apt utilities to provide a standard interface to the apt configuration settings.
| [apt-sortpkgs] | Sorts records and fields within the sources and packages files.
| [apt-extracttemplates] | Extracts templates and install scripts from packages.
| [apt-setup] | This tool configures the sources.list file.
| [auto-apt] | This tool checks the file access of programs running within its environments, and automatically installs packages if a program tries to access a file known to belong in an uninstalled package.
| [deborphan] | This tool scans the package database for unused or redundant packages
| [debuild] | This tool is used for rebuilding packages
  * [[AptCLI|apt]] - The main command-line package management tool
  * [[aptitude]] - command-line and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Text-based%20user%20interface|text-based interface]] (ncurses) for Apt
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=== _Tools for managing a package repository_ '''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface|graphical]]:'''
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| [apt-cacher] | This is an alternative tool to apt-proxy.
| [apt-proxy] | This is a specialized proxy server for accessing apt repositories. This can be used on a network to get packages from a central server that only downloads from the mirrors once.
| [apt-proxy-import] | Imports packages into a cache used by apt-proxy.
| [apt-ftparchive] | generates, from a directory of packages, the "Packages" and "Sources" control files used for an apt repository.
| [apt-move] | Moves a collection of Debian packages into a proper "pool" directory hierarchy as used by a package repository.
  * [[Synaptic]] - Graphical package manager
  * [[DebPkg:gdebi]] - Graphical installer for standalone [[DebianPackage]]s
  * [[DebPkg:gnome-software]] - Software Center for GNOME
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=== _Alternative tools_
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| [aptitude] | An alternative package manager to [dselect], containing additional features.
| [gdpm] | Gnome Debian Package Manager (in development).
| [gnome-apt] | Gnome Advanced Package Tool (in development).
| [pdbv] | A tool for creating an xhtml view of the package database.
== Full list of package management tools ==

=== apt ===

The [[DebPkg:apt]] package provides commandline tools for searching, managing, and querying information about packages, and access all features of the libapt-pkg library:

 * apt - high-level commandline interface for the package management system.
 * apt-cache - performs a variety of operations on APT's package cache.
 * apt-cdrom - used to add a new CD-ROM to APT's list of available sources.
 * apt-config - APT Configuration Query program
 * [[apt-get]] - command-line tool for handling packages
 * apt-key - manage the list of keys used by apt to authenticate packages.

=== dpkg ===

The [[DebPkg:dpkg]] package provides low-level infrastructure for handling the installation and removal of Debian software packages:

 * dpkg - a tool to install, build, remove and manage Debian packages.
 * dpkg-deb - Debian package archive (.deb) manipulation tool
 * dpkg-divert - override a package's version of a file
 * dpkg-maintscript-helper - works around known dpkg limitations in maintainer scripts
 * dpkg-query - show information about packages listed in the dpkg database.
 * dpkg-split - splits binary packages into smaller files and reassembles them(storage of large package files on small media)
 * dpkg-statoverride - override ownership and mode of files
 * dpkg-trigger - a tool to explicitly activate dpkg triggers
 * update-alternatives - maintain symbolic links determining default commands
 * dpkg-query - A tool for querying the package database
 * dpkg-statoverride - A tool for overriding modes and ownerships of files



=== apt-utils ===

[[DebPkg:apt-utils]] contains some less used commandline utilities related to package management with APT.

 * apt-ftparchive - create Packages and other index files needed to publish an archive of Debian packages


=== devscripts ===

[[DebPkg:devscripts]] provides several scripts to make the life of a Debian Package maintainer easier

 * debuild - This tool is used for rebuilding packages

=== dpkg-dev ===

[[DebPkg:dpkg-dev]] provides the development tools (including dpkg-source) required to unpack, build and upload Debian source packages.

 * dpkg-scanpackages - create Debian Packages index files from binary packages (.deb and variants)
 * dpkg-scansources - create Debian Sources index files from source packages (.dsc)

=== TODO unsorted ===
 * apt-file - This tool searches for a filename installed by any package in the contents of sources.list.
 * apt-listchanges - This tool displays the relevant changelog entries whenever a package is upgraded.
 * [[apt-build]] - Used to build packages from the source files
 * DebPkg:apt-cdrom-setup - This tool allows [[CDROM|cdrom]] based sources to be included in the package sources list.
 * apt-rdepends - This tool generates recursive dependency trees for a package.
 * apt-spy - This tool is used to generate a sources.list file from the current list of mirrors, based on latency/bandwidth.
 * apt-show-versions - shows all available versions of a package (allows wildcards), or all packages, and displays upgrade information where applicable.
 * dpkg-reconfigure - Allows a package to be reconfigured based on preferences (the same questions that are asked when the package is first installed).
 * apt-show-source - This is a variant of "apt-cache show" that shows information against the named source package, rather than the binary package.
 * apt-listbugs - This tool shows known critical bugs in named packages.
 * apt-config - This program is used by the other apt utilities to provide a standard interface to the apt configuration settings.
 * apt-sortpkgs - Sorts records and fields within the sources and packages files.
 * apt-extracttemplates - Extracts templates and install scripts from packages.
 * apt-setup - This tool configures the sources.list file.
 * apt-offline - Offline Package Management
 * auto-apt - This tool checks the file access of programs running within its environments, and automatically installs packages if a program tries to access a file known to belong in an uninstalled package.
 * deborphan - This tool scans the package database for unused or redundant packages||
 * DebPkg:dpkg-www - Debian package management web interface - browse Debian packages on a local or remote host using a normal web browser.
 * [[DebPkg:apt-xapian-index]] - a tool to maintain a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xapian|Xapian]] index of Debian package information and a command line search tool that uses the index.
 * [[wajig]] - wrapper tool for apt-get, dpkg, apt-cache, wget, and others


== Tools for managing a package repository ==

 * apt-cacher - This is an alternative tool to apt-proxy.
 * apt-proxy - This is a specialized proxy server for accessing apt repositories. This can be used on a network to get packages from a central server that only downloads from the mirrors once.
 * apt-proxy-import - Imports packages into a cache used by apt-proxy.
 * apt-ftparchive - generates, from a directory of packages, the Packages and Sources control files used for an apt repository.
 * apt-move - Moves a collection of Debian packages into a proper pool directory hierarchy as used by a package repository.
 * apt-transport-https - Allows apt to be configured to use https

== Alternative tools ==

 * gdpm - Gnome Debian Package Manager (in development).
 * gnome-apt - Gnome Advanced Package Tool (in development).
 * pdbv - A tool for creating an xhtml view of the package database.
 * DebPkg:dselect - Deprecated: superseded by aptitude
 * [[tasksel]] – Tool for selecting tasks for installation on Debian systems
 * [[PackageKit]] - Distro-agnostic frontend under developement

== See also ===

 * Get a list of package management tools (requires [[DebPkg:debtags]]): {{{ aptitude search '~Gadmin::package-management~Gsuite::debian' }}}
-------

TODO: add link to each command's manpage


----

CategoryPackageManagement | CategorySoftware

Translation(s): English - Español - Français - Italiano - 한국어(Korean) <style="text-align: right; border: 0px hidden"> (!) ?Discussion


Many tools available on a Debian system can be used for PackageManagement. Commonly used ones include:

command-line:

graphical:

Full list of package management tools

apt

The apt package provides commandline tools for searching, managing, and querying information about packages, and access all features of the libapt-pkg library:

  • apt - high-level commandline interface for the package management system.
  • apt-cache - performs a variety of operations on APT's package cache.
  • apt-cdrom - used to add a new CD-ROM to APT's list of available sources.
  • apt-config - APT Configuration Query program
  • apt-get - command-line tool for handling packages

  • apt-key - manage the list of keys used by apt to authenticate packages.

dpkg

The dpkg package provides low-level infrastructure for handling the installation and removal of Debian software packages:

  • dpkg - a tool to install, build, remove and manage Debian packages.
  • dpkg-deb - Debian package archive (.deb) manipulation tool
  • dpkg-divert - override a package's version of a file
  • dpkg-maintscript-helper - works around known dpkg limitations in maintainer scripts
  • dpkg-query - show information about packages listed in the dpkg database.
  • dpkg-split - splits binary packages into smaller files and reassembles them(storage of large package files on small media)
  • dpkg-statoverride - override ownership and mode of files
  • dpkg-trigger - a tool to explicitly activate dpkg triggers
  • update-alternatives - maintain symbolic links determining default commands
  • dpkg-query - A tool for querying the package database
  • dpkg-statoverride - A tool for overriding modes and ownerships of files

apt-utils

apt-utils contains some less used commandline utilities related to package management with APT.

  • apt-ftparchive - create Packages and other index files needed to publish an archive of Debian packages

devscripts

devscripts provides several scripts to make the life of a Debian Package maintainer easier

  • debuild - This tool is used for rebuilding packages

dpkg-dev

dpkg-dev provides the development tools (including dpkg-source) required to unpack, build and upload Debian source packages.

  • dpkg-scanpackages - create Debian Packages index files from binary packages (.deb and variants)
  • dpkg-scansources - create Debian Sources index files from source packages (.dsc)

TODO unsorted

  • apt-file - This tool searches for a filename installed by any package in the contents of sources.list.
  • apt-listchanges - This tool displays the relevant changelog entries whenever a package is upgraded.
  • ?apt-build - Used to build packages from the source files

  • apt-cdrom-setup - This tool allows cdrom based sources to be included in the package sources list.

  • apt-rdepends - This tool generates recursive dependency trees for a package.
  • apt-spy - This tool is used to generate a sources.list file from the current list of mirrors, based on latency/bandwidth.
  • apt-show-versions - shows all available versions of a package (allows wildcards), or all packages, and displays upgrade information where applicable.
  • dpkg-reconfigure - Allows a package to be reconfigured based on preferences (the same questions that are asked when the package is first installed).
  • apt-show-source - This is a variant of "apt-cache show" that shows information against the named source package, rather than the binary package.
  • apt-listbugs - This tool shows known critical bugs in named packages.
  • apt-config - This program is used by the other apt utilities to provide a standard interface to the apt configuration settings.
  • apt-sortpkgs - Sorts records and fields within the sources and packages files.
  • apt-extracttemplates - Extracts templates and install scripts from packages.
  • apt-setup - This tool configures the sources.list file.
  • apt-offline - Offline Package Management
  • auto-apt - This tool checks the file access of programs running within its environments, and automatically installs packages if a program tries to access a file known to belong in an uninstalled package.
  • deborphan - This tool scans the package database for unused or redundant packages||

  • dpkg-www - Debian package management web interface - browse Debian packages on a local or remote host using a normal web browser.

  • apt-xapian-index - a tool to maintain a Xapian index of Debian package information and a command line search tool that uses the index.

  • ?wajig - wrapper tool for apt-get, dpkg, apt-cache, wget, and others

Tools for managing a package repository

  • apt-cacher - This is an alternative tool to apt-proxy.
  • apt-proxy - This is a specialized proxy server for accessing apt repositories. This can be used on a network to get packages from a central server that only downloads from the mirrors once.
  • apt-proxy-import - Imports packages into a cache used by apt-proxy.
  • apt-ftparchive - generates, from a directory of packages, the Packages and Sources control files used for an apt repository.
  • apt-move - Moves a collection of Debian packages into a proper pool directory hierarchy as used by a package repository.
  • apt-transport-https - Allows apt to be configured to use https

Alternative tools

  • gdpm - Gnome Debian Package Manager (in development).
  • gnome-apt - Gnome Advanced Package Tool (in development).
  • pdbv - A tool for creating an xhtml view of the package database.
  • dselect - Deprecated: superseded by aptitude

  • tasksel – Tool for selecting tasks for installation on Debian systems

  • PackageKit - Distro-agnostic frontend under developement

== See also ===

  • Get a list of package management tools (requires debtags):  aptitude search '~Gadmin::package-management~Gsuite::debian' 


TODO: add link to each command's manpage


CategoryPackageManagement | CategorySoftware