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DebianPackage > dpkg


dpkg, a medium-level package manager for Debian

With dpkg --set-selections, you can set which packages are to be installed/removed etc, which gets done the next time you run apt-get dselect-upgrade.

Why "medium-level"?

Below it, there's dpkg-deb, which performs lower-level actions on .deb (binary) packages, such as reading the control information and directly extracting the contained files.

dpkg checks dependencies and will refuse to install a package whose dependencies aren't met, but it won't help you find and install those dependencies. You need a higher-level tool (e.g. aptitude, apt-get or dselect) for that.

Error Messages

E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (13 Permission denied)

An attempt is being made to run more than one package management process

This error may occur if an attempt to run more than one package management process is made. For example, if a package is being installed or removed using apt-get, or dselect, it should not be possible to run another package management tool, until the package updates are complete.

A non-root user is trying to add or remove packages

This error may also occur if a non-privileged (non-root) user attempts to add or install packages, or make a change to package status information within the package database.

E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), are you root?

A non-root user is trying to add or remove packages

This error may occur if a non-privileged (non-root) user attempts to add or install packages, or make a change to package status information within the package database.

See also


CategoryPackageManagement | CategorySoftware