apt-get & dpkg

Last updated October 6, 2006

Powerful commands for Debian Linux

Basics
Debian GNU/Linux has the *BEST* packagement management system I've seen in any Linux distribution. It uses apt. Short for "Advanced Package Tool."

update the package lists

# apt-get update
update the available package lists

# dselect update
upgrade all installed packages

# apt-get upgrade
installs package

# apt-get install pkg
uninstall package

# apt-get remove pkg
show all installed and removed packages

dpkg -l
show install status of package

dpkg -l pkg
show all packages that match pattern

dpkg -S pattern
list packages that contain string

dpkg
list files in package

dpkg -L pkg
show status of package

dpkg -s pkg
show details of package

dpkg -p pkg
list relevant packages

apt-cache search string
install package from a deb file

# dpkg -i file.deb
purge package (and config?)

# dpkg -P pkg
re-run the configure for a package

# dpkg-reconfigure pkg
get the source

# apt-get source pkg
config build-deps for source and install as needed

# apt-get build-dep
install package from specific release

# apt-get -t release install pkg
prevent name from running at bootup

# update-rc.d -f name remove
upgrade the distribution

# apt-get dist-upgrade.