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Re: Files in /var/lib/dpkg/



/var/lib/dpkg/available is the file that keeps track of all packages currently
available to be installed, based on the package info retrieved by apt-get update
and your sources.list file.

/var/lib/dpkg/status is the database file that contains information about the
state of all packages currently install, removed, etc from your system.

As a side note, never delete the status file by mistake, I did, and now I have
to reinstall my entire system to get things back to normal.  If you are going to
do any manipulation or modification of these files, make SURE you make
backups.  I wish I had.

Regards,

Todd



On Sun, 12 Dec 1999, Salman Ahmed wrote:
> What is the difference b/w /var/lib/dpkg/status and
> /var/lib/dpkg/available ?
> 
> I am experimenting with a Java application to list/display detailed
> information on all installed packages on a Debian system but can't be
> sure which file to start with - /var/lib/dpkg/status or
> /var/lib/dpkg/available ?
> 
> Also, where can I find detailed documentation on the files (and their
> format) in /var/lib/dpkg ?
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> -- 
> Salman Ahmed
> ssahmed AT pathcom DOT com
> 
> 
> -- 
> Unsubscribe?  mail -s unsubscribe debian-user-request@lists.debian.org < /dev/null


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