dpkg command - NexonHost.com

How To Use Dpkg Command In Linux.This guide explores the dpkg command syntax and options through various examples.dpkg in Linux is the primary package manager for Debian and Debian-based systems, such as Ubuntu. The tool installs, builds, removes, configures, and retrieves information for Debian packages. The command works with packages in .deb format. dpkg Command SyntaxThe basic syntax for the dpkg command is:dpkg actionThe command accepts one action and zero or more options.The dpkg command acts as a front-end for the following two tools:The dpkg-deb command, which shows information about .deb packages.The dpkg-query command, which shows the information from the dpkg database.The dpkg command runs actions from dpkg-query and dpkg-deb. Therefore, the following two commands show the same result:dpkg -ldpkg-query -lThe action -l is a dpkg-query action that lists all packages from the dpkg database. The dpkg command detects the foreign options and runs dpkg-query automatically. dpkg Command OptionsThe table below provides brief descriptions of commonly used options and actions for the dpkg command.SyntaxTypeDescription-i --install ActionInstalls the package.--unpack ActionUnpacks the package without configuration.--configure ActionConfigures an unpacked package.-r --remove ActionRemoves an installed package. Does not remove configuration files and other data.-P --purge ActionPurges an installed or removed package. Deletes configuration files and other data.--get-selectionsActionFetches packages with current selections.--set-selectionsActionSets file selection states from a file read from standard input.-b --build Action(from dpkg-deb)Builds a .deb package.-c --contents Action(from dpkg-deb)Lists package contents.-I --info Action(from dpkg-deb)Shows information about a package.-l --list Action(from dpkg-query)Lists packages by matching the pattern.-L --listfiles Action(from dpkg-query)List installed package's file locations.-s --status Action(from dpkg-query)Shows the status of an installed package.-S --search Action(from dpkg-query)Search for a pattern in installed packages.-R--recursiveOptionHandles action recursively in target directory and subdirectories.--log OptionLogs status change updates to a file.--no-act--dry-run--simulateOptionShows output without committing changes. Use before action.Actions that change the system, such as package installation or removal, require sudo privileges. Information-based options do not require special user privileges. dpkg Command ExamplesIf you have a .deb package, continue to the examples below. If not, download a simple .deb package for testing, such as the cowsay command-line gimmick.To get the file, run the following:wget http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/c/cowsay/cowsay_3.03+dfsg2-4_all.debConfirm the .deb file downloaded by listing directory contents with the ls command:ls -l *.debThe output shows the .deb package. Install PackageInstall a Debian package with the dpkg command and the -i or --install tag:sudo dpkg -i For example:sudo dpkg -i cowsay_3.03+dfsg2-4_all.debThe command requires sudo to install a .deb package. List Known PackagesTo list all known packages, use the -l tag:dpkg -lThe command prints the packages in pager mode. Navigate using the arrow keys or use space to list by page. Press q to exit the list. The columns list each package's name, version, architecture, and description.The first three columns provide a complete overview of the package status:Action selection:u - Unknowni - Installh - Holdr - Removep - PurgePackage status:n - Not installedc - Config filesH - Half installedU - UnpackedF - Half configuredW - Awaiting triggerst - Pending triggersi - InstalledError flags:R - Reinstallation required - No errorsTherefore, a package status "ii " means dpkg successfully installed the package selected for installation without errors.To fetch a specific instance from the list, use:dpkg -l For example:dpkg -l cowsayTo list multiple packages, separate each package name with a space. Remove PackageTo remove a Debian package, use the following command:dpkg -r For example, to remove the cowsay package, use:sudo dpkg -r cowsayThe -r option does not remove the configuration files. Use this option when removing software for reinstallation. Purge PackageTo purge a package, use the -P option:sudo dpkg -P For example:sudo dpkg -P cowsayThe command removes a package along with any configuration files. Use purge to remove a program from the system altogether. Show Package ContentsA .deb package contains several files and directories, indicating where the package resides after installation or unpacking.To display the package contents, run:dpkg -c For example:dpkg -c cowsay*The output shows all the files and directories in the .deb package file. The example package resides in /usr/games/ and /usr/share/ after installation or unpacking. Unpack PackageTo unpack the package without configuration, use:sudo dpkg --unpack For example:sudo dpkg --unpack cowsay*The command unpacks all the files from the package. Configure PackageTo configure an unpacked .deb package or reconfigure an installed package, use:dpkg --configure For example:sudo dpkg --configure cowsayUnpacking and configuring a Debian package divides the installation process into two steps. Check If the Package InstalledTo check whether a package is installed, use the -s tag:dpkg -s For example:dpkg -s cowsayThe Status line shows whether a package is installed. Show Package InformationTo show package information directly from the .deb file, use the following command:dpkg -I For example:dpkg -I cowsay*The command shows package information, such as the size, dependencies, and documentation references. Use this method to check package information before installing a package. Install All Packages from a DirectoryUse the -R option before -i to install packages recursively:dpkg -R -i The command installs all packages located in the directory and any subdirectories. If multiple instances of the same package unpack, only one configuration occurs. List Installed Package Files' LocationsTo list the package files and their location, use the -L tag:dpkg -L For example:dpkg -L cowsayThe output lists all the file directories and file locations. Get Package SelectionsTo fetch the package names by selection, use:dpkg --get-selectionsThe list shows package names and the selection marking. List Installed PackagesTo fetch a list of installed packages, use the following command:dpkg --get-selections | grep -v "deinstall" | awk '{ print $1 }'The command does the following:grep filters out packages marked "deinstall".awk prints only the first column with the package names.Use this method when you require a list of installed programs. Set Package SelectionsSet the package selection for a package in the following format:echo | dpkg --set-selectionsThe command expects the package state as standard input. The possible conditions are:installholddeinstallpurgeunknownFor example, to stop a package from updating, use:echo cowsay hold | sudo dpkg --set-selectionsThe package is in a hold state, meaning the program receives no automatic updates. Search Package Containing FilesTo find a package containing a file, use the -S option:dpkg -S For example, search for apt-get:dpkg -S apt-getThe output shows apt-get belongs to the apt package.Alternatively, search for a specific file. For example:dpgk -S gnu.cowThe output shows the file belongs to the cowsay package. Compare VersionsThe dpkg command offers a tool for comparing program version numbers. The syntax is:dpkg --compare-versions The possible comparison operators are:lt - Strictly less thanle - Less than or equal toeq - Equalne - Not equalge - Greater than or equal togt - Strictly greater thandpkg returns 0 (success) for a correct comparison and a non-zero value for failure.For example, compare the following version numbers:dpkg --compare-versions 1.2-3 gt 1.1-4echo $?The command returns 0, indicating the first version number is greater than the second. Multi-Architecture SupportAll Debian packages contain supported architecture information. The restriction ensures the system does not end up with binaries for an incorrect architecture.Some architectures support different architectures natively. For example, an amd64 (a 64-bit system) supports i386 (a 32-bit system) installations.The dpkg command matches the host's architecture. Fetch the information with:dpkg --print-architectureTo see the foreign architecture support, use:dpkg --print-foreign-architecturesTo add or remove architecture support, use:sudo dpkg --add-architecture sudo dpkg --remove-architecture In both cases, the foreign architectures list updates with the changes immediately. Check dpkg Command VersionTo check which dpkg version the system is running, use:dpkg --versionThe output shows the dpkg version along with the architecture. Print HelpTo show a simple help menu, use the following command:dpkg --help ConclusionAfter following the examples from this tutorial, you should master the basics of the dpkg command.

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