Setting Local Repository

The most perfect method for installing software package offline on Debian based GNU/Linux is : APT Local Repository.

Step-1 : Editing /etc/apt/sources.list

• Open /etc/apt/sources.list with gedit (or any other text editor) or with command-line as root
• Add following entry at the top of file- /etc/apt/sources.list :
  • deb file:/var/local-deb-repo/ ./
• Save file and exit from text-editor

Step-2 : Putting all debs inside /var/local-deb-repo/

• Create directory /var/local-deb-repo/
• Put all deb files (including dependencies) inside this directory

Step-3 : Creating Packages index files

• Run the following command:
  • cd /var/local-deb-repo
  • sudo bash -c 'dpkg-scanpackages . | gzip > ./Packages.gz'

Step-4 : Updating APT package source

• Run following command:
  • sudo apt-get update

Now you can install packages by apt using sudo apt-get install <package> command.

Convenience/Advantage/Flexibility of this method:-

• If you want to install another package, then you have to follow only Step 2 to 4.
• In other word, Just maintain appropriate debs inside /var/local-deb-repo/ and you can directly go for couple of commands (Step 3 & 4).
• If you want to clean local repository, then just empty /var/local-deb-repo/ and repeat Step 3 & 4!

Script for quick installation and removal which I'm using is attached below.