Re: Trying to understand Packages[.gz] files
Subject: Trying to understand Packages[.gz] files
Date: Wed, Mar 17, 1999 at 02:13:18PM +1300
In reply to:Lloyd Blythen
Quoting Lloyd Blythen(lblythen@acm.org):
> I'm installing Debian gradually; until I get it online I have Windows,
> in its own partition, set up for Internet use. I use Windows to download
> Debian packages I'm interested in onto my hard drive, creating a partial
> mirror of the Debian distribution; I then install those packages by
> accessing the Windows partition from Debian. What's the significance of
> Packages (or Packages.gz) files in this case?
>
> 1) Does dpkg/dselect/apt assume that all packages listed in a Packages
> file are available on my hard drive? If so, should I manually create a
> stripped-down Packages file that describes only the few dozen packages
> I've downloaded?
No, do an ls /var/lib/dpkg/status it shows you what you have
installed.
>
> 2) Alternatively, is Packages used only to provide additional data to
> the package management tools - that is, do the tools scan for .deb
> packages that I've actually downloaded, then use the Packages file only
> to extract further information about those few packages?
>
> I suspect it's 1), because dselect in particular shows guff about
> packages I've never downloaded but that are described in the Packages
> file (which I have downloaded).
>
>
> Any help appreciated
>
> Lloyd
>
>
--
Windows95 (noun): 32 bit extensions and a graphical shell for a 16 bit
patch to an 8 bit operating system originally coded for a 4 bit
microprocessor, written by a 2 bit company, that can't stand 1 bit of
competition.
_______________________________________________________
Wayne T. Topa <wtopa@ix.netcom.com>
Reply to: