Changes between Version 3 and Version 4 of WhatIsAPackage

Timestamp:

10/17/12 18:56:49 (12 years ago)

Author:

jdreed

Comment:

--

WhatIsAPackage

@@ -8 +8 @@
 Source 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.
 
-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.
+The `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.
 
 == Binary Packages
@@ -59 +59 @@
 Another 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.
 
+Package managers can also obtain and unpack source packages automatically, e.g. `apt-get source xterm`.