Changes between Version 3 and Version 4 of WhatIsAPackage


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Timestamp:
10/17/12 18:56:49 (12 years ago)
Author:
jdreed
Comment:

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  • WhatIsAPackage

    v3 v4  
    88Source packages consist of a `.dsc` file, as well as a `.tar.gz` file, and optionally a `.diff.gz` file.  The .dsc file contains some metadata and checksums for the other two files.  The `.tar.gz` file contains the actual software itself.  If the software was modified from its original form by Debian or Ubuntu, those changes are represented in the `.diff.gz` file. 
    99 
    10 You can obtain the source package for any binary package with the `apt-get source packagename` command (e.g. `apt-get source xterm`).  APT will download the source package, unpack it into the current directory, and apply the changes in the .diff.gz.  The `dpkg-source` command can do this manually. 
     10The `dpkg-source` command is used to manipulate source packages.  To unpack a source package so that you can begin working with it, you can use `dpkg-source -x filename.dsc`.  This will unpack the source package into a subdirectory of the current directory and apply the changes from the diff. 
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    1212== Binary Packages 
     
    5959Another common package manager is `aptitude`.  Throughout the Debathena documentation, you may see both `aptitude` and `apt-get` used interchangeable.  While they have similar features, their syntax is different.  Consult the manual pages for both commands for more information. 
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     61Package managers can also obtain and unpack source packages automatically, e.g. `apt-get source xterm`.