Packages and backups

The dpkg command

Manages .deb packages directly: install them, list them or check which package a file belongs to.

Syntax

dpkg -l | dpkg -i paquete.deb | dpkg -S archivo

Most useful options

-lLists installed packages
-iInstalls a .deb
-LLists a package's files
-SSays which package a file belongs to

Copy-ready examples

$ dpkg -lInstalled packages
$ dpkg -S lsWhich package is ls from?

You can try them in the browser terminal: it does not touch your computer.

Typical mistakes

  • dpkg does not resolve dependencies: if something is missing, use apt install -f.

Related commands

aptapt-cachesnap

FAQ

dpkg or apt?

apt is the friendly layer that uses dpkg underneath and resolves dependencies.

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