Re: Integrating local changes
Michael Shields writes ("Integrating local changes"):
...
> (a) How would dpkg react when a package contains configuration files for
> other package(s)? It would be nice if I could create a new server
> just by installing a stack of Debian packages and a locally
> generated package consisting of configuration files.
dpkg will not react well. I'd recommend creating a local package that
modifies the config files without telling dpkg about it. That way
dpkg (and the rest of the system) will see your configuration as part
of what `the sysadmin' has done and try to leave it alone.
> (b) Is there a way to create, say, an `emacs-local' package that
> conflicts with `emacs'? Could I make `emacs' a virtual package? Or
> should I just keep calling it `emacs' and use a different version?
> (Emacs is just an example; more likely I'd be replacing /bin/login
> or inetd or other system software.)
Yes, no problem. Just create a package that contains the appropriate
stuff in its control file (see our packaging Guidelines).
> (c) I can create a local package (so as not to have files on the system
> not under dpkg control), but what is a clean way to add it to the
> list of available packages?
After using the `Update list of available packages' option in dselect,
say
dpkg --avail <filename>.deb
and it'll be there. Alternatively you could use dpkg-scanpackages (in
recent versions of dpkg) or some such to create a modified Packages
file, and use dpkg --merge-avail or dpkg --update-avail on it.
Ian.
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