DPKG is an abbreviation for Debian Package Manager. DPKG in Linux is useful for downloading, removing, or upgrading software packages. This is a powerful tool that can also be used with sudo, which lets us be the super user or sudo root user.
How to Use DPKG
DPKG must be used with sudo. Because to install or remove you need to be a root user. As you know sudo gives the root privilege. You can use DPKG in multiple ways, for multiple purposes. For example Installation, listing, or removal of packages. The DPKG command in Linux is a hashed command. This command takes different options to complete different operations.
Syntax
The syntax of this command is given below.
dpkg [OPTION]... FileNameThe DPKG command in Linux has a lot of options. I have listed some of the important ones below.
Useful Options
- -i, –install: This option installs packages.
- –unpack: This option is used for unpacking packages.
- -r, –remove: This option removes packages.
- -P: This option also removes packages but with the configuration files.
Download “.deb” File
There are many ways that you can use the dpkg command. I will show you some examples in the next part of the article. Now first you need to have a “.deb” file. If you don’t have one then get the file below by typing in the terminal.
wget http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/c/cowsay/cowsay_3.03+dfsg2-4_all.debYou can take a look at the picture below to see how this works.
How to Install a Package Using DPKG in Linux
If you want to install a package on your machine that is a .deb file then you will have to use an option. Normally option (-i) is useful for installing packages. Now follow the steps below to see how this works.
Steps to Follow >
➊ Open your Ubuntu terminal.
➋ Write the following command.
sudo dpkg -i cowsay_3.03+dfsg2-4_all.deb➌ Now, press the ENTER button.
➍ Now, type your user password and press ENTER button.
Output >
As you can see from the picture below that the .deb package installation is successful.
How to List Installed Packages Using DPKG
If you want to see the packages on your machine that are .deb files then you will have to use an option. Normally option (-l) is useful for listing out packages. Now follow the steps below to see how this works.
Steps to Follow >
➊ Open your Ubuntu terminal.
➋ Write the following commands and press ENTER.
dpkg -lOutput >
As you can see that the list of the installed packages is on the terminal.
How to Unpack a Package Using DPKG in Linux
If you want to unpack packages on your machine that are .deb files then you will have to use an option. Normally option (–unpack) is useful for listing out packages. Now follow the steps below to see how this works.
Steps to Follow >
➊ Open your Ubuntu terminal.
➋ Write the following command.
sudo dpkg --unpack cowsay_3.03+dfsg2-4_all.deb➌ Now, press the ENTER button.
➍ Now, give your user password and press ENTER button.
Output >
List the Contents of an Installed Package Using DPKG in Linux
If you want to see the contents of installed packages on your machine that are .deb files then you will have to use an option. Normally option (-c) is useful for listing the contents of an installed package. Now follow the steps below to see how this works.
Steps to Follow >
➊ Open your Ubuntu terminal.
➋ Write the following commands.
sudo dpkg -c cowsay_3.03+dfsg2-4_all.deb➌ Now, press the ENTER button.
➍ Now, give your user password and press ENTER button.
Output >
As you can see that the list of the contents of the installed package is printed on the terminal.
How to Show Information of a Package Using DPKG in Linux
If you want to see the information of installed packages on your machine that are .deb files then you will have to use an option. Normally option (-I) is used for listing information of an installed package. Now follow the steps below to see how this works.
Steps to Follow >
➊ Open your Ubuntu terminal.
➋ Write the following command.
sudo dpkg -I cowsay_3.03+dfsg2-4_all.deb➌ Now, press the ENTER button.
➍ Now, give your user password and press ENTER button.
Output >
As you can see that the information on the installed package is printed on the terminal. Here you can see the installation size and other pieces of information.
How to Show the Location of a Package Using DPKG
If you want to see the location of installed packages on your machine that are .deb files then you will have to use an option. Normally option (-L) is used for listing the contents of an installed package. Now follow the steps below to see how this works.
Steps to Follow >
➊ Open your Ubuntu terminal.
➋ Write the following commands and press ENTER.
dpkg -L cowsayOutput >
As you can see that the location of the installed package is printed on the terminal.
How to Remove a Package Using DPKG
If you want to remove installed packages on your machine that are .deb files then you will have to use an option. Normally option (-r) is used for removing an installed package. Now follow the steps below to see how this works.
Steps to Follow >
➊ Open your Ubuntu terminal.
➋ Write the following command.
sudo dpkg -r cowsay_3.03+dfsg2-4_all.deb➌ Now, press the ENTER button.
➍ Now, give your user password and press ENTER button.
Output >
This command doesn’t remove the configuration files. For removing the configuration files you will have to use purge, which I will show you in the next section.
How to Purge a Package Using DPKG
If you want to remove configuration files of a package on your machine that are .deb file then you will have to use an option. Normally option (-P) is used for purging an installed package. Now follow the steps below to see how this works.
Steps to Follow >
➊ Open your Ubuntu terminal.
➋ Write the following command.
sudo dpkg -P cowsay➌ Now, press the ENTER button.
➍ Now, give your user password and press ENTER button.
Output >
This command removes all the configuration files.
DPKG vs APT
Apt is more modern and user-friendly than the dpkg. APT stands for Advanced Package Tool on the other hand dpkg stands for Debian Package Manager. Both of these tools can be used for installing, removing, or updating software packages in the system. Apt has some advantages over dpkg like installing from a remote location. Apt can also resolve dependencies which dpkg can’t do.
Look into the article: DPKG VS APT for a detailed overview.
Conclusion
In this article, I have tried to explain how dpkg works, some useful dpkg command lines, and the difference between dpkg and apt. I tried to make it as simple as possible, considering how hard it is to learn to use the command line for beginners. So after reading this article, you should be able to use dpkg properly and without facing many difficulties.
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