Because of many reasons, Ubuntu now has became a very popular Linux Desktop Distribution (probably the most popular). As result, Debian package management (dpkg), also has grown very popular as well as Ubuntu. Now, many third party software developer (Adobe, Real Player, Foxit, etc), almost always, provides their software installer in Debian package (with .deb extension), alongside or even instead of RPM and other package managements in Linux.
Of course, this is not a sign that in the future, Debian package will be the only package management that will be used in every Linux distribution. Every Linux distribution has its own strength and weakness, so we must realize that all Linux distributions must live and grow bigger together, to pursue the ultimate advantage of the free and open source softwares (FOSS).
Now, I want to share a little tip to build a Debian package (.deb) using a basic element of Debian system called dpkg-dev. Dpkg-dev is a basic tool in Debian system to make simple modification, build and maintain Debian package management. This tip is useful (for me), to build an independent software or desktop themes or wallpapers to a .deb package, so in other time, we can simply and easily install and use them.
BASIC COMPREHENSION
In every Debian package, has a structure like this below :
DEBIAN
A folder including some files :
a) control, is the package/software description (core file),
b) md5sum (additional),
c) postinst, a script of post/after install scripts (additional),
d) postrm, a script of post/after remove scripts (additional) and other additional scripts (if necessary).
Target Directory (Recrussive)
A folder including the library, binary and core data files that used by the software. The files placed recrussively same as their destination. This folder might be consisted of more than one folder depending of the software/package structure. Usually, this folder consists of :
a) usr
Main directory that consists the binary, library and xdg standard desktop shortcut (with .desktop extension). Example : usr/share/lib/libk3blib.so etc; usr/bin/k3b; usr/share/applications/kde/k3b.desktop; usr/share/apps/k3b.
b) opt
Main directory if the software work directory is placed in opt
c) etc
Additional directory if necessary
and other directories if necessary.
We has known the structure of dpkg. Now, what is the content of the software description file (DEBIAN/control)? This is the example :
Package: maknyus-wallpapers
Version: 0.1alwan1
Architecture: all
Maintainer: Alwan Rosyidi
Installed-Size: 8100
Replaces: ubuntu-wallpapers
Section: gnome
Priority: optional
Description: Wallpaper pengganti dan tambahan biar desktop Ubuntu terlihat lebih maknyus.
(one space)
There are few important notes we have to know in the control file :
Version must be started with number and then can be followed by characters (look at the example).
Replaces is a description if our package is another newer version of other package that has existed in the system, or, if our package has a file with the same name with another existing file in the system that is the part of a package. For example : I made a wallpaper to be the main wallpaper and replace the default Ubuntu wallpaper, so I have to replace the ubuntu-wallpapers package in this description file. If we miss this column, our package will not be able to be installed completely. Even, our package will contaminate our apt database an our apt and dpkg system will be error.
Description must be ended by an empty line. If we need sub-descriptions in the new line/paragraphs, we must put one space in the beginning of the paragraphs/line (look at the example).
BUILDING
As an example, now, I want to build a package called maknyus-wallpapers, an additional wallpaper set to eyecandize Ubuntu desktop. This is the folder structure and its files inside :
maknyus-wallpaper :
DEBIAN/control
usr/share/backgrounds/files.jpeg
Now, we just have to build the package by typing this simple magical command :
sudo folder-name folder-name_version_architecture.deb
sudo dpkg -b maknyus-wallpapers maknyus-wallpapers_0.1alwan1_all.deb
Important notes : we must confirm that the package name must be same as in the description in the control file. One different character will make our package recognized as another different package. Example : in the control file, I've written the package name as maknyus-wallpapers (with s), so in the package name I must type the same name (with s). If we miss this, our package will be actually installed, but will not be recognized well as an installed package.
Now I have a package called maknyus-wallpapers_0.1alwan1_all.deb and can be installed manually by terminal or graphically by gdebi (look at the screenshot above). Enjoy! :)
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