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dpkg facts for kids
| Original author(s) | Ian Murdock |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | The Debian Project |
| Initial release | January 1994 |
| Stable release |
1.21.22
 / 24 May 2023 |
| Preview release |
Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). / 17 July 2024
|
| Written in | C, C++, Perl |
| Operating system | Unix-like |
| Available in | 42 languages |
| Type | Package manager |
| License | GPLv2 |
dpkg is a special computer program. It helps manage software on computers that use the Debian operating system. Debian is a type of free operating system, like Linux. `dpkg` helps you install, remove, and get information about software packages. These packages are often called ".deb" files.
Think of `dpkg` as a basic tool. It works directly with the software packages. For everyday use, people often use a more advanced tool called APT. APT can find packages online and handle tricky connections between different software.
Programs like aptitude and synaptic make using APT even easier. They have friendlier screens that are simple to understand. The "dpkg" software package includes the main `dpkg` program. It also has other important tools like `dpkg-deb`, `dpkg-query`, and `update-alternatives`. These tools help the software system work smoothly.
Contents
How dpkg Was Created
The idea for `dpkg` came from an earlier system called StopAlop. This system was developed by Greg Wettstein. Ian Murdock first created `dpkg` in January 1994. He wrote it as a simple script.
Later, Ian Murdock, Matt Welsh, and Carl Streeter rewrote it using a programming language called Perl. In 1994, Ian Jackson rewrote the main part of `dpkg` using the C programming language. The name "dpkg" originally meant "Debian package." Over time, the meaning changed. Now, `dpkg` refers to the software itself. It is different from the ".deb" package file format. It is also different from the Debian Policy Manual, which sets rules for how Debian packages should work.
Using dpkg: Simple Examples
You can use `dpkg` with simple commands to manage software. Here are some common ways to use it:
Install a .deb Package
To install a software package that ends with ".deb", you would type: `dpkg -i filename.deb`
For example, if the file is named `myprogram_1.0-1_amd64.deb`, you would type: `dpkg -i myprogram_1.0-1_amd64.deb`
List Installed Packages
To see a list of all the software packages already installed on your computer, use this command: `dpkg -l`
You can also search for specific packages by adding a pattern: `dpkg -l [optional pattern]`
Remove an Installed Package
If you want to remove a software package from your computer, use this command: `dpkg -r packagename`
For example, to remove a package named "myprogram", you would type: `dpkg -r myprogram`
Tools for Developers
The "dpkg-dev" package contains many tools. These tools help software developers create and prepare Debian packages. They are used to unpack, build, and upload source packages.
Here are some of these important tools:
- dpkg-source: This tool helps pack and unpack the original files of a Debian package.
- dpkg-gencontrol: It reads information from an unpacked Debian package. Then, it creates a special control file for the package.
- dpkg-shlibdeps: This tool figures out which other software libraries a program needs to run.
- dpkg-buildpackage: This is a main script that helps build a complete package automatically.
- dpkg-parsechangelog: It reads the "changelog" file. This file lists all the changes made to a package over time. It then shows this information in an easy-to-read way.
Where dpkg Stores Information
The `dpkg` program keeps track of installed software in a special place. This place is a database located at `/var/lib/dpkg`. Inside this database, there's a file called "status." This "status" file lists all the software currently installed on your computer. It does not contain information about where the software came from, like online repositories.
wpkg: A Similar Tool for Windows
This page is about wpkg, a look-alike of the debian dpkg packager. For WPKG, an unrelated packager for Microsoft Windows, see WPKG (software).
wpkg was created to be like `dpkg` but for computers running Microsoft Windows. Over time, `wpkg` gained more features. It became similar to parts of the APT system. It also got better at managing software sources.
`wpkg` can work with the same ".deb" file format that `dpkg` uses. It also has a ready-to-use program called `wpkg.exe`. As of March 2024, the last update for `wpkg` was in 2015.
See also
In Spanish: Dpkg para niños