A Beginner's Guide To Using dpkg Command In Linux

This guide provides a foundational understanding of the dpkg command, a core package manager in Debian, Ubuntu, and related Linux distributions. We'll cover essential uses, including installation, removal, and package management tasks.

What is dpkg?

dpkg (Debian Package) is a command-line utility for managing individual .deb packages. While powerful, it's a mid-level tool; it doesn't automatically handle dependencies. For dependency management, higher-level tools like apt are recommended.

Basic Syntax

The basic dpkg command structure is:

dpkg [options] action

Common Actions and Options:

The table below summarizes common dpkg actions and useful options:

Action

Description

Example

-i, --install

Installs a

Action	Description	Example
-i, --install	Installs a .deb package.	sudo dpkg -i package.deb
-r, --remove	Removes a package (configuration files remain).	sudo dpkg -r package_name
-P, --purge	Removes a package and its configuration files.	sudo dpkg -P package_name
-l, --list	Lists installed packages (optional: filter with grep).	dpkg -l, dpkg -l | grep firefox
-L, --listfiles	Lists files installed by a package.	dpkg -L package_name
-S, --search	Finds the package a file belongs to.	dpkg -S /path/to/file
-s, --status	Shows detailed package status.	dpkg -s package_name
-b, --build	Builds a .deb package from a directory.	dpkg -b directory
--configure	Configures an unpacked but unconfigured package.	dpkg --configure package_name
--unpack	Unpacks a .deb package without configuring it.	dpkg --unpack package.deb
--no-act	Simulates the command without making changes.	dpkg --no-act -i package.deb

package.

sudo dpkg -i package.deb

-r, --remove

Removes a package (configuration files remain).

sudo dpkg -r package_name

-P, --purge

Removes a package and its configuration files.

sudo dpkg -P package_name

-l, --list

Lists installed packages (optional: filter with grep).

dpkg -l, dpkg -l | grep firefox

-L, --listfiles

Lists files installed by a package.

dpkg -L package_name

-S, --search

Finds the package a file belongs to.

dpkg -S /path/to/file

-s, --status

Shows detailed package status.

dpkg -s package_name

-b, --build

Builds a package from a directory.

dpkg -b directory

--configure

Configures an unpacked but unconfigured package.

dpkg --configure package_name

--unpack

Unpacks a package without configuring it.

dpkg --unpack package.deb

--no-act

Simulates the command without making changes.

dpkg --no-act -i package.deb

Common Use Cases

Let's illustrate with practical examples:

1. Installing a Package:

   dpkg [options] action

2. Removing a Package:

   sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb 

3. Purging a Package:

   sudo dpkg -r firefox-esr

4. Listing Installed Packages:

   sudo dpkg -P linux-image-5.10.0-11-amd64

5. Listing Files of a Package:

   dpkg -l | grep -i chrome

6. Finding a File's Package:

   dpkg -L google-chrome-stable

7. Showing Package Status:

   dpkg -S /bin/uname

Conclusion

dpkg is a fundamental tool for managing Debian packages. While powerful for individual package manipulation, remember to use apt or apt-get for dependency handling to avoid potential system instability. For comprehensive information, consult the dpkg manual page (man dpkg). Using apt or apt-get is generally recommended for everyday package management tasks.

The above is the detailed content of A Beginner's Guide To Using dpkg Command In Linux. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!