When you seriously think about packaging as new comer to Debian, please read the official documentation :
the Debian New Maintainers' Guide -- tutorial for simple package
Debian Policy -- guiding rules
Developers Reference -- advanced guide etc.
Contents
Why Packaging
Whether you want
- to install some programs or data on several computers
- the packaging system to take care of updates
- to help the Debian project.
Introduction to Debian Packaging
If you need to create rapidly a package, use equivs :
If you prefere to gain real knowledge about Debian packaging :
first read the excellent introduction to Debian Packaging.
Then read the intresting pdf file included int the package : packaging-tutorial
Debian Derivatives
Please note that some Debian Derivatives resources may be quite useful too.
Learn more about the DEX project
Advanced Packaging Procedures
?create a dummy package
?Adding and removing diversions
RPM - Converting a .RPM into .DEB - generally leads to bad results
Creating package without some particular architectures - for easy porting
Useful pages
other informations
External useful links
http://qref.sourceforge.net/Debian/reference/ch-package.en.html
http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/apt-howto/ and package apt-howto
http://www.debian.org/devel/wnpp/prospective : requested packages, and packages being worked on.
See also:
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-debpkg.html : creating debian packages - high-level description of debian packaging .
http://www.debian-administration.org/articles/336 Rolling your own debian packages.
Autobuilding non-free packages: http://article.gmane.org/gmane.linux.debian.devel.announce/997
PackageConfigUpgrade : propose a new way to smoothly handle configuration upgrades during package upgrades
CategoryPackageManagement CategoryPackaging