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You'll find out that +some answers assume some knowledge of Unix-like operating systems. We'll try +to assume as little prior knowledge as possible: answers to general beginners +questions will be kept simple. +</p> + +<p> +If you can't find what you're looking for in this FAQ, be sure to check out <a +href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">What other documentation exists on and +for a Debian system?, Section 11.1</a>. If even that doesn't help, refer to <a +href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-feedback">Feedback, Section 15.2</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-whatisdebian"></a>1.2 What is Debian GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux is a particular <em>distribution</em> of the Linux operating +system, and numerous packages that run on it. +</p> + +<p> +In principle, users could obtain the Linux kernel via the Internet or from +elsewhere, and compile it themselves. They could then obtain source code for +many applications in the same way, compile the programs, then install them into +their systems. For complicated programs, this process can be not only +time-consuming but error-prone. To avoid it, users often choose to obtain the +operating system and the application packages from one of the Linux +distributors. What distinguishes the various Linux distributors are the +software, protocols, and practices they use for packaging, installing, and +tracking applications packages on users' systems, combined with installation +and maintenance tools, documentation, and other services. +</p> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux is the result of a volunteer effort to create a free, +high-quality Unix-compatible operating system, complete with a suite of +applications. The idea of a free Unix-like system originates from the GNU +project, and many of the applications that make Debian GNU/Linux so useful were +developed by the GNU project. +</p> + +<p> +For Debian, free has the GNUish meaning (see the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines">Debian Free Software +Guidelines</a></code>). When we speak of free software, we are referring to +freedom, not price. Free software means that you have the freedom to +distribute copies of free software, that you receive source code or can get it +if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it in new +free programs; and that you know you can do these things. +</p> + +<p> +The Debian Project was created by Ian Murdock in 1993, initially under the +sponsorship of the Free Software Foundation's GNU project. Today, Debian's +developers think of it as a direct descendent of the GNU project. +</p> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux is: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>full featured</strong>: Debian includes more than 15400 software +packages at present. Users can select which packages to install; Debian +provides a tool for this purpose. You can find a list and descriptions of the +packages currently available in Debian at any of the Debian <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/distrib/ftplist">mirror sites</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>free to use and redistribute</strong>: There is no consortium +membership or payment required to participate in its distribution and +development. All packages that are formally part of Debian GNU/Linux are free +to redistribute, usually under terms specified by the GNU General Public +License. +</p> + +<p> +The Debian FTP archives also carry approximately 450 software packages (in the +<samp>non-free</samp> and <samp>contrib</samp> sections), which are +distributable under specific terms included with each package. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>dynamic</strong>: With about 1649 volunteers constantly contributing +new and improved code, Debian is evolving rapidly. New releases are planned to +be made every several months, and the FTP archives are updated daily. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Although Debian GNU/Linux itself is free software, it is a base upon which +value-added Linux distributions can be built. By providing a reliable, +full-featured base system, Debian provides Linux users with increased +compatibility, and allows Linux distribution creators to eliminate duplication +of effort and focus on the things that make their distribution special. See <a +href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-childistro">I am making a special Linux +distribution for a "vertical market". Can I use Debian GNU/Linux for +the guts of a Linux system and add my own applications on top of it?, Section +13.3</a> for more information. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-linux"></a>1.3 OK, now I know what Debian is... what is Linux?!</h2> + +<p> +In short, Linux is the kernel of a Unix-like operating system. It was +originally designed for 386 (and better) PCs; today Linux also runs on a dozen +of other systems. Linux is written by Linus Torvalds and many computer +scientists around the world. +</p> + +<p> +Besides its kernel, a "Linux" system usually has: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +a file system that follows the Linux Filesystem Hierarchy Standard <code><a +href="http://www.pathname.com/fhs/">http://www.pathname.com/fhs/</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +a wide range of Unix utilities, many of which have been developed by the GNU +project and the Free Software Foundation. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The combination of the Linux kernel, the file system, the GNU and FSF +utilities, and the other utilities are designed to achieve compliance with the +POSIX (IEEE 1003.1) standard; see <a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherunices">How +source code compatible is Debian with other Unix systems?, Section 3.3</a>. +</p> + +<p> +For more information about Linux, see Michael K. Johnson's <code><a +href="ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/INFO-SHEET">Linux Information +Sheet</a></code> and <code><a +href="ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/META-FAQ">Meta-FAQ</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-non-linux"></a>1.4 Does Debian just do GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +Currently, Debian is only available for Linux, but with Debian GNU/Hurd and +Debian on BSD kernels, we have started to offer non-Linux-based OSes as a +development, server and desktop platform, too. However, these non-linux ports +are not officially released yet. +</p> + +<p> +The oldest porting effort is Debian GNU/Hurd. +</p> + +<p> +The Hurd is a set of servers running on top of the GNU Mach microkernel. +Together they build the base for the GNU operating system. +</p> + +<p> +Please see <code><a +href="http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/">http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/</a></code> +for more information about the GNU/Hurd in general, and <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/ports/hurd/">http://www.debian.org/ports/hurd/</a></code> +for more information about Debian GNU/Hurd. +</p> + +<p> +A second effort is the port to a BSD kernel. People are working with both the +NetBSD and the FreeBSD kernels. +</p> + +<p> +See <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/ports/#nonlinux">http://www.debian.org/ports/#nonlinux</a></code> +for more information about these non-linux ports. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-difference"></a>1.5 What is the difference between Debian GNU/Linux and other Linux distributions? Why should I choose Debian over some other distribution?</h2> + +<p> +These key features distinguish Debian from other Linux distributions: +</p> +<dl> +<dt>Freedom:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +As stated in the <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract">Debian +Social Contract</a></code>, Debian will remain 100% free. Debian is very +strict about shipping truly free software. The guidelines used to determine if +a work is "free" are provided in <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines">The Debian Free +Software</a></code>. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>The Debian package maintenance system:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +The entire system, or any individual component of it, can be upgraded in place +without reformatting, without losing custom configuration files, and (in most +cases) without rebooting the system. Most Linux distributions available today +have some kind of package maintenance system; the Debian package maintenance +system is unique and particularly robust (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">Basics of the Debian package management system, +Chapter 6</a>). +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>Open development:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +Whereas other Linux distributions are developed by individuals, small, closed +groups, or commercial vendors, Debian is the only major Linux distribution that +is being developed cooperatively by many individuals through the Internet, in +the same spirit as Linux and other free software. +</p> + +<p> +More than 1649 volunteer package maintainers are working on over 15400 packages +and improving Debian GNU/Linux. The Debian developers contribute to the +project not by writing new applications (in most cases), but by packaging +existing software according to the standards of the project, by communicating +bug reports to upstream developers, and by providing user support. See also +additional information on how to become a contributor in <a +href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contrib">How can I become a Debian software +developer?, Section 12.1</a>. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>The Universal Operating System:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +Debian comes with <code><a href="http://packages.debian.org/stable/">more than +15400 packages</a></code> and runs on <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/ports/">11 architectures</a></code>. This is far +more than is available for any other GNU/Linux distribution. See <a +href="ch-software.en.html#s-apps">What types of applications and development +software are available for Debian GNU/Linux?, Section 4.1</a> for an overview +of the provided software and see <a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-arches">On what +hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?, Section 3.1</a> for +a description of the supported hardware platforms. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>The Bug Tracking System:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +The geographical dispersion of the Debian developers required sophisticated +tools and quick communication of bugs and bug-fixes to accelerate the +development of the system. Users are encouraged to send bugs in a formal +style, which are quickly accessible by WWW archives or via e-mail. See +additional information in this FAQ on the management of the bug log in <a +href="ch-support.en.html#s-buglogs">Are there logs of known bugs?, Section +11.4</a>. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>The Debian Policy:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +Debian has an extensive specification of our standards of quality, the Debian +Policy. This document defines the qualities and standards to which we hold +Debian packages. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<p> +For additional information about this, please see our web page about <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/intro/why_debian">reasons to choose +Debian</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-gnu"></a>1.6 How does the Debian project fit in or compare with the Free Software Foundation's GNU project?</h2> + +<p> +The Debian system builds on the ideals of free software first championed by the +<code><a href="http://www.gnu.org/">Free Software Foundation</a></code> and in +particular by <code><a href="http://www.stallman.org/">Richard +Stallman</a></code>. FSF's powerful system development tools, utilities, and +applications are also a key part of the Debian system. +</p> + +<p> +The Debian Project is a separate entity from the FSF, however we communicate +regularly and cooperate on various projects. The FSF explicitly requested that +we call our system "Debian GNU/Linux", and we are happy to comply +with that request. +</p> + +<p> +The FSF's long-standing objective is to develop a new operating system called +GNU, based on <code><a +href="http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/">Hurd</a></code>. Debian is working +with FSF on this system, called <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/ports/hurd/">Debian GNU/Hurd</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pronunciation"></a>1.7 How does one pronounce Debian and what does this word mean?</h2> + +<p> +The project name is pronounced Deb'-ee-en, with a short e in Deb, and emphasis +on the first syllable. This word is a contraction of the names of Debra and +Ian Murdock, who founded the project. (Dictionaries seem to offer some +ambiguity in the pronunciation of Ian (!), but Ian prefers ee'-en.) +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="index.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ 1 ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..74257067e --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-basic_defs.html @@ -0,0 +1,431 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Definitions and overview</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-basic_defs"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="index.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ 1 ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 1 - Definitions and overview +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-whatisfaq"></a>1.1 What is this FAQ?</h2> + +<p> +This document gives frequently asked questions (with their answers!) about the +Debian distribution (Debian GNU/Linux and others) and about the Debian project. +If applicable, pointers to other documentation will be given: we won't quote +large parts of external documentation in this document. You'll find out that +some answers assume some knowledge of Unix-like operating systems. We'll try +to assume as little prior knowledge as possible: answers to general beginners +questions will be kept simple. +</p> + +<p> +If you can't find what you're looking for in this FAQ, be sure to check out <a +href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">What other documentation exists on and +for a Debian system?, Section 11.1</a>. If even that doesn't help, refer to <a +href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-feedback">Feedback, Section 15.2</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-whatisdebian"></a>1.2 What is Debian GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux is a particular <em>distribution</em> of the Linux operating +system, and numerous packages that run on it. +</p> + +<p> +In principle, users could obtain the Linux kernel via the Internet or from +elsewhere, and compile it themselves. They could then obtain source code for +many applications in the same way, compile the programs, then install them into +their systems. For complicated programs, this process can be not only +time-consuming but error-prone. To avoid it, users often choose to obtain the +operating system and the application packages from one of the Linux +distributors. What distinguishes the various Linux distributors are the +software, protocols, and practices they use for packaging, installing, and +tracking applications packages on users' systems, combined with installation +and maintenance tools, documentation, and other services. +</p> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux is the result of a volunteer effort to create a free, +high-quality Unix-compatible operating system, complete with a suite of +applications. The idea of a free Unix-like system originates from the GNU +project, and many of the applications that make Debian GNU/Linux so useful were +developed by the GNU project. +</p> + +<p> +For Debian, free has the GNUish meaning (see the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines">Debian Free Software +Guidelines</a></code>). When we speak of free software, we are referring to +freedom, not price. Free software means that you have the freedom to +distribute copies of free software, that you receive source code or can get it +if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it in new +free programs; and that you know you can do these things. +</p> + +<p> +The Debian Project was created by Ian Murdock in 1993, initially under the +sponsorship of the Free Software Foundation's GNU project. Today, Debian's +developers think of it as a direct descendent of the GNU project. +</p> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux is: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>full featured</strong>: Debian includes more than 15400 software +packages at present. Users can select which packages to install; Debian +provides a tool for this purpose. You can find a list and descriptions of the +packages currently available in Debian at any of the Debian <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/distrib/ftplist">mirror sites</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>free to use and redistribute</strong>: There is no consortium +membership or payment required to participate in its distribution and +development. All packages that are formally part of Debian GNU/Linux are free +to redistribute, usually under terms specified by the GNU General Public +License. +</p> + +<p> +The Debian FTP archives also carry approximately 450 software packages (in the +<samp>non-free</samp> and <samp>contrib</samp> sections), which are +distributable under specific terms included with each package. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>dynamic</strong>: With about 1649 volunteers constantly contributing +new and improved code, Debian is evolving rapidly. New releases are planned to +be made every several months, and the FTP archives are updated daily. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Although Debian GNU/Linux itself is free software, it is a base upon which +value-added Linux distributions can be built. By providing a reliable, +full-featured base system, Debian provides Linux users with increased +compatibility, and allows Linux distribution creators to eliminate duplication +of effort and focus on the things that make their distribution special. See <a +href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-childistro">I am making a special Linux +distribution for a "vertical market". Can I use Debian GNU/Linux for +the guts of a Linux system and add my own applications on top of it?, Section +13.3</a> for more information. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-linux"></a>1.3 OK, now I know what Debian is... what is Linux?!</h2> + +<p> +In short, Linux is the kernel of a Unix-like operating system. It was +originally designed for 386 (and better) PCs; today Linux also runs on a dozen +of other systems. Linux is written by Linus Torvalds and many computer +scientists around the world. +</p> + +<p> +Besides its kernel, a "Linux" system usually has: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +a file system that follows the Linux Filesystem Hierarchy Standard <code><a +href="http://www.pathname.com/fhs/">http://www.pathname.com/fhs/</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +a wide range of Unix utilities, many of which have been developed by the GNU +project and the Free Software Foundation. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The combination of the Linux kernel, the file system, the GNU and FSF +utilities, and the other utilities are designed to achieve compliance with the +POSIX (IEEE 1003.1) standard; see <a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherunices">How +source code compatible is Debian with other Unix systems?, Section 3.3</a>. +</p> + +<p> +For more information about Linux, see Michael K. Johnson's <code><a +href="ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/INFO-SHEET">Linux Information +Sheet</a></code> and <code><a +href="ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/META-FAQ">Meta-FAQ</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-non-linux"></a>1.4 Does Debian just do GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +Currently, Debian is only available for Linux, but with Debian GNU/Hurd and +Debian on BSD kernels, we have started to offer non-Linux-based OSes as a +development, server and desktop platform, too. However, these non-linux ports +are not officially released yet. +</p> + +<p> +The oldest porting effort is Debian GNU/Hurd. +</p> + +<p> +The Hurd is a set of servers running on top of the GNU Mach microkernel. +Together they build the base for the GNU operating system. +</p> + +<p> +Please see <code><a +href="http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/">http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/</a></code> +for more information about the GNU/Hurd in general, and <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/ports/hurd/">http://www.debian.org/ports/hurd/</a></code> +for more information about Debian GNU/Hurd. +</p> + +<p> +A second effort is the port to a BSD kernel. People are working with both the +NetBSD and the FreeBSD kernels. +</p> + +<p> +See <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/ports/#nonlinux">http://www.debian.org/ports/#nonlinux</a></code> +for more information about these non-linux ports. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-difference"></a>1.5 What is the difference between Debian GNU/Linux and other Linux distributions? Why should I choose Debian over some other distribution?</h2> + +<p> +These key features distinguish Debian from other Linux distributions: +</p> +<dl> +<dt>Freedom:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +As stated in the <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract">Debian +Social Contract</a></code>, Debian will remain 100% free. Debian is very +strict about shipping truly free software. The guidelines used to determine if +a work is "free" are provided in <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines">The Debian Free +Software</a></code>. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>The Debian package maintenance system:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +The entire system, or any individual component of it, can be upgraded in place +without reformatting, without losing custom configuration files, and (in most +cases) without rebooting the system. Most Linux distributions available today +have some kind of package maintenance system; the Debian package maintenance +system is unique and particularly robust (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">Basics of the Debian package management system, +Chapter 6</a>). +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>Open development:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +Whereas other Linux distributions are developed by individuals, small, closed +groups, or commercial vendors, Debian is the only major Linux distribution that +is being developed cooperatively by many individuals through the Internet, in +the same spirit as Linux and other free software. +</p> + +<p> +More than 1649 volunteer package maintainers are working on over 15400 packages +and improving Debian GNU/Linux. The Debian developers contribute to the +project not by writing new applications (in most cases), but by packaging +existing software according to the standards of the project, by communicating +bug reports to upstream developers, and by providing user support. See also +additional information on how to become a contributor in <a +href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contrib">How can I become a Debian software +developer?, Section 12.1</a>. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>The Universal Operating System:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +Debian comes with <code><a href="http://packages.debian.org/stable/">more than +15400 packages</a></code> and runs on <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/ports/">11 architectures</a></code>. This is far +more than is available for any other GNU/Linux distribution. See <a +href="ch-software.en.html#s-apps">What types of applications and development +software are available for Debian GNU/Linux?, Section 4.1</a> for an overview +of the provided software and see <a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-arches">On what +hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?, Section 3.1</a> for +a description of the supported hardware platforms. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>The Bug Tracking System:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +The geographical dispersion of the Debian developers required sophisticated +tools and quick communication of bugs and bug-fixes to accelerate the +development of the system. Users are encouraged to send bugs in a formal +style, which are quickly accessible by WWW archives or via e-mail. See +additional information in this FAQ on the management of the bug log in <a +href="ch-support.en.html#s-buglogs">Are there logs of known bugs?, Section +11.4</a>. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>The Debian Policy:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +Debian has an extensive specification of our standards of quality, the Debian +Policy. This document defines the qualities and standards to which we hold +Debian packages. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<p> +For additional information about this, please see our web page about <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/intro/why_debian">reasons to choose +Debian</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-gnu"></a>1.6 How does the Debian project fit in or compare with the Free Software Foundation's GNU project?</h2> + +<p> +The Debian system builds on the ideals of free software first championed by the +<code><a href="http://www.gnu.org/">Free Software Foundation</a></code> and in +particular by <code><a href="http://www.stallman.org/">Richard +Stallman</a></code>. FSF's powerful system development tools, utilities, and +applications are also a key part of the Debian system. +</p> + +<p> +The Debian Project is a separate entity from the FSF, however we communicate +regularly and cooperate on various projects. The FSF explicitly requested that +we call our system "Debian GNU/Linux", and we are happy to comply +with that request. +</p> + +<p> +The FSF's long-standing objective is to develop a new operating system called +GNU, based on <code><a +href="http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/">Hurd</a></code>. Debian is working +with FSF on this system, called <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/ports/hurd/">Debian GNU/Hurd</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pronunciation"></a>1.7 How does one pronounce Debian and what does this word mean?</h2> + +<p> +The project name is pronounced Deb'-ee-en, with a short e in Deb, and emphasis +on the first syllable. This word is a contraction of the names of Debra and +Ian Murdock, who founded the project. (Dictionaries seem to offer some +ambiguity in the pronunciation of Ian (!), but Ian prefers ee'-en.) +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="index.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ 1 ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-compat.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-compat.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..24b527de7 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-compat.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,386 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Compatibility issues</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-compat"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ 3 ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 3 - Compatibility issues +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-arches"></a>3.1 On what hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?</h2> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux includes complete source-code for all of the included +programs, so it should work on all systems which are supported by the Linux +kernel; see the <code><a +href="http://en.tldp.org/FAQ/Linux-FAQ/intro.html#DOES-LINUX-RUN-ON-MY-COMPUTER">Linux +FAQ</a></code> for details. +</p> + +<p> +The current Debian GNU/Linux release, 3.1, contains a complete, binary +distribution for the following architectures: +</p> + +<p> +<em>i386</em>: this covers PCs based on Intel and compatible processors, +including Intel's 386, 486, Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium II (both Klamath and +Celeron), and Pentium III, and most compatible processors by AMD, Cyrix and +others. +</p> + +<p> +<em>m68k</em>: this covers Amigas and ATARIs having a Motorola 680x0 processor +for x>=2; with MMU. +</p> + +<p> +<em>alpha</em>: Compaq/Digital's Alpha systems. +</p> + +<p> +<em>sparc</em>: this covers Sun's SPARC and most UltraSPARC systems. +</p> + +<p> +<em>powerpc</em>: this covers some IBM/Motorola PowerPC machines, including +CHRP, PowerMac and PReP machines. +</p> + +<p> +<em>arm</em>: ARM and StrongARM machines. +</p> + +<p> +<em>mips</em>: SGI's big-endian MIPS systems, Indy and Indigo2; +<em>mipsel</em>: little-endian MIPS machines, Digital DECstations. +</p> + +<p> +<em>hppa</em>: Hewlett-Packard's PA-RISC machines (712, C3000, L2000, A500). +</p> + +<p> +<em>ia64</em>: Intel IA-64 ("Itanium") computers. +</p> + +<p> +<em>s390</em>: IBM S/390 mainframe systems. +</p> + +<p> +The development of binary distributions of Debian for Sparc64 (UltraSPARC +native) architectures is currently underway. +</p> + +<p> +For further information on booting, partitioning your drive, enabling PCMCIA +(PC Card) devices and similar issues please follow the instructions given in +the Installation Manual, which is available from our WWW site at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual">http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-otherdistribs"></a>3.2 How compatible is Debian with other distributions of Linux?</h2> + +<p> +Debian developers communicate with other Linux distribution creators in an +effort to maintain binary compatibility across Linux distributions. Most +commercial Linux products run as well under Debian as they do on the system +upon which they were built. +</p> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux adheres to the <code><a +href="http://www.pathname.com/fhs/">Linux Filesystem Hierarchy +Standard</a></code>. However, there is room for interpretation in some of the +rules within this standard, so there may be slight differences between a Debian +system and other Linux systems. +</p> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux supports software developed for the <code><a +href="http://www.linuxbase.org/">Linux Standard Base</a></code>. The LSB is a +specification for allowing the same binary package to be used on multiple +distributions. Packages for the Debian Etch release must not conflict with +requirements of the LSB, v1.3. As of this writing, Debian GNU/Linux is not +formally LSB-certified. However, some Debian derived distributions are. +Discussion and coordination of efforts towards ensuring Debian meets the +requirements of the Linux Standard Base is taking place on the <code><a +href="http://lists.debian.org/debian-lsb/">debian-lsb mailing list</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-otherunices"></a>3.3 How source code compatible is Debian with other Unix systems?</h2> + +<p> +For most applications Linux source code is compatible with other Unix systems. +It supports almost everything that is available in System V Unix systems and +the free and commercial BSD-derived systems. However in the Unix business such +claim has nearly no value because there is no way to prove it. In the software +development area complete compatibility is required instead of compatibility in +"about most" cases. So years ago the need for standards arose, and +nowadays POSIX.1 (IEEE Standard 1003.1-1990) is one of the major standards for +source code compatibility in Unix-like operating systems. +</p> + +<p> +Linux is intended to adhere to POSIX.1, but the POSIX standards cost real money +and the POSIX.1 (and FIPS 151-2) certification is quite expensive; this made it +more difficult for the Linux developers to work on complete POSIX conformance. +The certification costs make it unlikely that Debian will get an official +conformance certification even if it completely passed the validation suite. +(The validation suite is now freely available, so it is expected that more +people will work on POSIX.1 issues.) +</p> + +<p> +Unifix GmbH (Braunschweig, Germany) developed a Linux system that has been +certified to conform to FIPS 151-2 (a superset of POSIX.1). This technology +was available in Unifix' own distribution called Unifix Linux 2.0 and in +Lasermoon's Linux-FT. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-otherpackages"></a>3.4 Can I use Debian packages (".deb" files) on my Red Hat/Slackware/... Linux system? Can I use Red Hat packages (".rpm" files) on my Debian GNU/Linux system?</h2> + +<p> +Different Linux distributions use different package formats and different +package management programs. +</p> +<dl> +<dt><strong>You probably can:</strong></dt> +<dd> +<p> +A program to unpack a Debian package onto a Linux host that is been built from +a `foreign' distribution is available, and will generally work, in the sense +that files will be unpacked. The converse is probably also true, that is, a +program to unpack a Red Hat or Slackware package on a host that is based on +Debian GNU/Linux will probably succeed in unpacking the package and placing +most files in their intended directories. This is largely a consequence of the +existence (and broad adherence to) the Linux Filesystem Hierarchy Standard. +The <code><a href="http://packages.debian.org/alien">Alien</a></code> package +is used to convert between different package formats. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><strong>You probably do not want to:</strong></dt> +<dd> +<p> +Most package managers write administrative files when they are used to unpack +an archive. These administrative files are generally not standardized. +Therefore, the effect of unpacking a Debian package on a `foreign' host will +have unpredictable (certainly not useful) effects on the package manager on +that system. Likewise, utilities from other distributions might succeed in +unpacking their archives on Debian systems, but will probably cause the Debian +package management system to fail when the time comes to upgrade or remove some +packages, or even simply to report exactly what packages are present on a +system. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><strong>A better way:</strong></dt> +<dd> +<p> +The Linux File System Standard (and therefore Debian GNU/Linux) requires that +subdirectories under <samp>/usr/local/</samp> be entirely under the user's +discretion. Therefore, users can unpack `foreign' packages into this +directory, and then manage their configuration, upgrade and removal +individually. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-libc5"></a>3.5 Is Debian able to run my old libc5 programs?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. Just install the required <code>libc5</code> libraries, from the +<samp>oldlibs</samp> section (containing old packages included for +compatibility with older applications). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-libc5-compile"></a>3.6 Can Debian be used to compile libc5 programs?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. Install <code>libc5-altdev</code> and <code>altgcc</code> packages (from +the <samp>oldlibs</samp> section). You can find the appropriate libc5-compiled +<code>gcc</code> and <code>g++</code> in directory +<samp>/usr/i486-linuxlibc1/bin</samp>. Put them in your $PATH variable to get +<code>make</code> and other programs to execute these first. +</p> + +<p> +Be aware that libc5 environment isn't fully supported by our other packages +anymore. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-non-debian-programs"></a>3.7 How should I install a non-Debian program?</h2> + +<p> +Files under the directory <samp>/usr/local/</samp> are not under the control of +the Debian package management system. Therefore, it is good practice to place +the source code for your program in /usr/local/src/. For example, you might +extract the files for a package named "foo.tar" into the directory +<samp>/usr/local/src/foo</samp>. After you compile them, place the binaries in +<samp>/usr/local/bin/</samp>, the libraries in <samp>/usr/local/lib/</samp>, +and the configuration files in <samp>/usr/local/etc/</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +If your programs and/or files really must be placed in some other directory, +you could still store them in <samp>/usr/local/</samp>, and build the +appropriate symbolic links from the required location to its location in +<samp>/usr/local/</samp>, e.g., you could make the link +</p> + +<pre> + ln -s /usr/local/bin/foo /usr/bin/foo +</pre> + +<p> +In any case, if you obtain a package whose copyright allows redistribution, you +should consider making a Debian package of it, and uploading it for the Debian +system. Guidelines for becoming a package developer are included in the Debian +Policy manual (see <a href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">What other +documentation exists on and for a Debian system?, Section 11.1</a>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-termcap"></a>3.8 Why can't I compile programs that require libtermcap?</h2> + +<p> +Debian uses the <samp>terminfo</samp> database and the <samp>ncurses</samp> +library of terminal interface routes, rather than the <samp>termcap</samp> +database and the <samp>termcap</samp> library. Users who are compiling +programs that require some knowledge of the terminal interface should replace +references to <samp>libtermcap</samp> with references to +<samp>libncurses</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +To support binaries that have already been linked with the <samp>termcap</samp> +library, and for which you do not have the source, Debian provides a package +called <code>termcap-compat</code>. This provides both +<samp>libtermcap.so.2</samp> and <samp>/etc/termcap</samp>. Install this +package if the program fails to run with the error message "can't load +library 'libtermcap.so.2'", or complains about a missing +<samp>/etc/termcap</samp> file. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-accelx"></a>3.9 Why can't I install AccelX?</h2> + +<p> +AccelX uses the <samp>termcap</samp> library for installation. See <a +href="#s-termcap">Why can't I compile programs that require libtermcap?, +Section 3.8</a> above. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-motifnls"></a>3.10 Why do my old XFree 2.1 Motif applications crash?</h2> + +<p> +You need to install the <code>motifnls</code> package, which provides the +XFree-2.1 configuration files needed to allow Motif applications compiled under +XFree-2.1 to run under XFree-3.1. +</p> + +<p> +Without these files, some Motif applications compiled on other machines (such +as Netscape) may crash when attempting to copy or paste from or to a text +field, and may also exhibit other problems. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ 3 ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-compat.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-compat.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..24b527de7 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-compat.html @@ -0,0 +1,386 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Compatibility issues</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-compat"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ 3 ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 3 - Compatibility issues +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-arches"></a>3.1 On what hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?</h2> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux includes complete source-code for all of the included +programs, so it should work on all systems which are supported by the Linux +kernel; see the <code><a +href="http://en.tldp.org/FAQ/Linux-FAQ/intro.html#DOES-LINUX-RUN-ON-MY-COMPUTER">Linux +FAQ</a></code> for details. +</p> + +<p> +The current Debian GNU/Linux release, 3.1, contains a complete, binary +distribution for the following architectures: +</p> + +<p> +<em>i386</em>: this covers PCs based on Intel and compatible processors, +including Intel's 386, 486, Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium II (both Klamath and +Celeron), and Pentium III, and most compatible processors by AMD, Cyrix and +others. +</p> + +<p> +<em>m68k</em>: this covers Amigas and ATARIs having a Motorola 680x0 processor +for x>=2; with MMU. +</p> + +<p> +<em>alpha</em>: Compaq/Digital's Alpha systems. +</p> + +<p> +<em>sparc</em>: this covers Sun's SPARC and most UltraSPARC systems. +</p> + +<p> +<em>powerpc</em>: this covers some IBM/Motorola PowerPC machines, including +CHRP, PowerMac and PReP machines. +</p> + +<p> +<em>arm</em>: ARM and StrongARM machines. +</p> + +<p> +<em>mips</em>: SGI's big-endian MIPS systems, Indy and Indigo2; +<em>mipsel</em>: little-endian MIPS machines, Digital DECstations. +</p> + +<p> +<em>hppa</em>: Hewlett-Packard's PA-RISC machines (712, C3000, L2000, A500). +</p> + +<p> +<em>ia64</em>: Intel IA-64 ("Itanium") computers. +</p> + +<p> +<em>s390</em>: IBM S/390 mainframe systems. +</p> + +<p> +The development of binary distributions of Debian for Sparc64 (UltraSPARC +native) architectures is currently underway. +</p> + +<p> +For further information on booting, partitioning your drive, enabling PCMCIA +(PC Card) devices and similar issues please follow the instructions given in +the Installation Manual, which is available from our WWW site at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual">http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-otherdistribs"></a>3.2 How compatible is Debian with other distributions of Linux?</h2> + +<p> +Debian developers communicate with other Linux distribution creators in an +effort to maintain binary compatibility across Linux distributions. Most +commercial Linux products run as well under Debian as they do on the system +upon which they were built. +</p> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux adheres to the <code><a +href="http://www.pathname.com/fhs/">Linux Filesystem Hierarchy +Standard</a></code>. However, there is room for interpretation in some of the +rules within this standard, so there may be slight differences between a Debian +system and other Linux systems. +</p> + +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux supports software developed for the <code><a +href="http://www.linuxbase.org/">Linux Standard Base</a></code>. The LSB is a +specification for allowing the same binary package to be used on multiple +distributions. Packages for the Debian Etch release must not conflict with +requirements of the LSB, v1.3. As of this writing, Debian GNU/Linux is not +formally LSB-certified. However, some Debian derived distributions are. +Discussion and coordination of efforts towards ensuring Debian meets the +requirements of the Linux Standard Base is taking place on the <code><a +href="http://lists.debian.org/debian-lsb/">debian-lsb mailing list</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-otherunices"></a>3.3 How source code compatible is Debian with other Unix systems?</h2> + +<p> +For most applications Linux source code is compatible with other Unix systems. +It supports almost everything that is available in System V Unix systems and +the free and commercial BSD-derived systems. However in the Unix business such +claim has nearly no value because there is no way to prove it. In the software +development area complete compatibility is required instead of compatibility in +"about most" cases. So years ago the need for standards arose, and +nowadays POSIX.1 (IEEE Standard 1003.1-1990) is one of the major standards for +source code compatibility in Unix-like operating systems. +</p> + +<p> +Linux is intended to adhere to POSIX.1, but the POSIX standards cost real money +and the POSIX.1 (and FIPS 151-2) certification is quite expensive; this made it +more difficult for the Linux developers to work on complete POSIX conformance. +The certification costs make it unlikely that Debian will get an official +conformance certification even if it completely passed the validation suite. +(The validation suite is now freely available, so it is expected that more +people will work on POSIX.1 issues.) +</p> + +<p> +Unifix GmbH (Braunschweig, Germany) developed a Linux system that has been +certified to conform to FIPS 151-2 (a superset of POSIX.1). This technology +was available in Unifix' own distribution called Unifix Linux 2.0 and in +Lasermoon's Linux-FT. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-otherpackages"></a>3.4 Can I use Debian packages (".deb" files) on my Red Hat/Slackware/... Linux system? Can I use Red Hat packages (".rpm" files) on my Debian GNU/Linux system?</h2> + +<p> +Different Linux distributions use different package formats and different +package management programs. +</p> +<dl> +<dt><strong>You probably can:</strong></dt> +<dd> +<p> +A program to unpack a Debian package onto a Linux host that is been built from +a `foreign' distribution is available, and will generally work, in the sense +that files will be unpacked. The converse is probably also true, that is, a +program to unpack a Red Hat or Slackware package on a host that is based on +Debian GNU/Linux will probably succeed in unpacking the package and placing +most files in their intended directories. This is largely a consequence of the +existence (and broad adherence to) the Linux Filesystem Hierarchy Standard. +The <code><a href="http://packages.debian.org/alien">Alien</a></code> package +is used to convert between different package formats. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><strong>You probably do not want to:</strong></dt> +<dd> +<p> +Most package managers write administrative files when they are used to unpack +an archive. These administrative files are generally not standardized. +Therefore, the effect of unpacking a Debian package on a `foreign' host will +have unpredictable (certainly not useful) effects on the package manager on +that system. Likewise, utilities from other distributions might succeed in +unpacking their archives on Debian systems, but will probably cause the Debian +package management system to fail when the time comes to upgrade or remove some +packages, or even simply to report exactly what packages are present on a +system. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><strong>A better way:</strong></dt> +<dd> +<p> +The Linux File System Standard (and therefore Debian GNU/Linux) requires that +subdirectories under <samp>/usr/local/</samp> be entirely under the user's +discretion. Therefore, users can unpack `foreign' packages into this +directory, and then manage their configuration, upgrade and removal +individually. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-libc5"></a>3.5 Is Debian able to run my old libc5 programs?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. Just install the required <code>libc5</code> libraries, from the +<samp>oldlibs</samp> section (containing old packages included for +compatibility with older applications). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-libc5-compile"></a>3.6 Can Debian be used to compile libc5 programs?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. Install <code>libc5-altdev</code> and <code>altgcc</code> packages (from +the <samp>oldlibs</samp> section). You can find the appropriate libc5-compiled +<code>gcc</code> and <code>g++</code> in directory +<samp>/usr/i486-linuxlibc1/bin</samp>. Put them in your $PATH variable to get +<code>make</code> and other programs to execute these first. +</p> + +<p> +Be aware that libc5 environment isn't fully supported by our other packages +anymore. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-non-debian-programs"></a>3.7 How should I install a non-Debian program?</h2> + +<p> +Files under the directory <samp>/usr/local/</samp> are not under the control of +the Debian package management system. Therefore, it is good practice to place +the source code for your program in /usr/local/src/. For example, you might +extract the files for a package named "foo.tar" into the directory +<samp>/usr/local/src/foo</samp>. After you compile them, place the binaries in +<samp>/usr/local/bin/</samp>, the libraries in <samp>/usr/local/lib/</samp>, +and the configuration files in <samp>/usr/local/etc/</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +If your programs and/or files really must be placed in some other directory, +you could still store them in <samp>/usr/local/</samp>, and build the +appropriate symbolic links from the required location to its location in +<samp>/usr/local/</samp>, e.g., you could make the link +</p> + +<pre> + ln -s /usr/local/bin/foo /usr/bin/foo +</pre> + +<p> +In any case, if you obtain a package whose copyright allows redistribution, you +should consider making a Debian package of it, and uploading it for the Debian +system. Guidelines for becoming a package developer are included in the Debian +Policy manual (see <a href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">What other +documentation exists on and for a Debian system?, Section 11.1</a>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-termcap"></a>3.8 Why can't I compile programs that require libtermcap?</h2> + +<p> +Debian uses the <samp>terminfo</samp> database and the <samp>ncurses</samp> +library of terminal interface routes, rather than the <samp>termcap</samp> +database and the <samp>termcap</samp> library. Users who are compiling +programs that require some knowledge of the terminal interface should replace +references to <samp>libtermcap</samp> with references to +<samp>libncurses</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +To support binaries that have already been linked with the <samp>termcap</samp> +library, and for which you do not have the source, Debian provides a package +called <code>termcap-compat</code>. This provides both +<samp>libtermcap.so.2</samp> and <samp>/etc/termcap</samp>. Install this +package if the program fails to run with the error message "can't load +library 'libtermcap.so.2'", or complains about a missing +<samp>/etc/termcap</samp> file. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-accelx"></a>3.9 Why can't I install AccelX?</h2> + +<p> +AccelX uses the <samp>termcap</samp> library for installation. See <a +href="#s-termcap">Why can't I compile programs that require libtermcap?, +Section 3.8</a> above. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-motifnls"></a>3.10 Why do my old XFree 2.1 Motif applications crash?</h2> + +<p> +You need to install the <code>motifnls</code> package, which provides the +XFree-2.1 configuration files needed to allow Motif applications compiled under +XFree-2.1 to run under XFree-3.1. +</p> + +<p> +Without these files, some Motif applications compiled on other machines (such +as Netscape) may crash when attempting to copy or paste from or to a text +field, and may also exhibit other problems. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ 3 ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-contributing.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-contributing.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..9ed5a5633 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-contributing.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,191 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Contributing to the Debian Project</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-contributing"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ 12 ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 12 - Contributing to the Debian Project +</h1> + +<hr> + +<p> +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/donations">Donations</a></code> of time +(to develop new packages, maintain existing packages, or provide user support), +resources (to mirror the FTP and WWW archives), and money (to pay for new +testbeds as well as hardware for the archives) can help the project. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-contrib"></a>12.1 How can I become a Debian software developer?</h2> + +<p> +The development of Debian is open to all, and new users with the right skills +and/or the willingness to learn are needed to maintain existing packages which +have been "orphaned" by their previous maintainers, to develop new +packages, and to provide user support. +</p> + +<p> +The description of becoming a Debian developer can be found at the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/devel/join/newmaint">New Maintainer's +Corner</a></code> at the Debian web site. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-contribresources"></a>12.2 How can I contribute resources to the Debian project?</h2> + +<p> +Since the project aims to make a substantial body of software rapidly and +easily accessible throughout the globe, mirrors are urgently needed. It is +desirable but not absolutely necessary to mirror all of the archive. Please +visit the <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/mirror/size">Debian mirror +size</a></code> page for information on the disk space requirements. +</p> + +<p> +Most of the mirroring is accomplished entirely automatically by scripts, +without any interaction. However, the occasional glitch or system change +occurs which requires human intervention. +</p> + +<p> +If you have a high-speed connection to the Internet, the resources to mirror +all or part of the distribution, and are willing to take the time (or find +someone) who can provide regular maintenance of the system, then please contact +<code><a +href="mailto:debian-admin@lists.debian.org">debian-admin@lists.debian.org</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-supportingorganizations"></a>12.3 How can I contribute financially to the Debian project?</h2> + +<p> +One can make individual donations to one of two organizations that are critical +to the development of the Debian project. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-SPI"></a>12.3.1 Software in the Public Interest</h3> + +<p> +Software in the Public Interest (SPI) is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit +organization, formed when FSF withdrew their sponsorship of Debian. The +purpose of the organization is to develop and distribute free software. +</p> + +<p> +Our goals are very much like those of FSF, and we encourage programmers to use +the GNU General Public License on their programs. However, we have a slightly +different focus in that we are building and distributing a Linux system that +diverges in many technical details from the GNU system planned by FSF. We +still communicate with FSF, and we cooperate in sending them changes to GNU +software and in asking our users to donate to FSF and the GNU project. +</p> + +<p> +SPI can be reached at: <code><a +href="http://www.spi-inc.org/">http://www.spi-inc.org/</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-FSF"></a>12.3.2 Free Software Foundation</h3> + +<p> +At this time there is no formal connection between Debian and the Free Software +Foundation. However, the Free Software Foundation is responsible for some of +the most important software components in Debian, including the GNU C compiler, +GNU Emacs, and much of the C run-time library that is used by all programs on +the system. FSF pioneered much of what free software is today: they wrote the +General Public License that is used on much of the Debian software, and they +invented the "GNU" project to create an entirely free Unix system. +Debian should be considered a descendent of the GNU system. +</p> + +<p> +FSF can be reached at: <code><a +href="http://www.fsf.org/">http://www.fsf.org/</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ 12 ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-contributing.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-contributing.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..9ed5a5633 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-contributing.html @@ -0,0 +1,191 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Contributing to the Debian Project</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-contributing"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ 12 ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 12 - Contributing to the Debian Project +</h1> + +<hr> + +<p> +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/donations">Donations</a></code> of time +(to develop new packages, maintain existing packages, or provide user support), +resources (to mirror the FTP and WWW archives), and money (to pay for new +testbeds as well as hardware for the archives) can help the project. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-contrib"></a>12.1 How can I become a Debian software developer?</h2> + +<p> +The development of Debian is open to all, and new users with the right skills +and/or the willingness to learn are needed to maintain existing packages which +have been "orphaned" by their previous maintainers, to develop new +packages, and to provide user support. +</p> + +<p> +The description of becoming a Debian developer can be found at the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/devel/join/newmaint">New Maintainer's +Corner</a></code> at the Debian web site. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-contribresources"></a>12.2 How can I contribute resources to the Debian project?</h2> + +<p> +Since the project aims to make a substantial body of software rapidly and +easily accessible throughout the globe, mirrors are urgently needed. It is +desirable but not absolutely necessary to mirror all of the archive. Please +visit the <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/mirror/size">Debian mirror +size</a></code> page for information on the disk space requirements. +</p> + +<p> +Most of the mirroring is accomplished entirely automatically by scripts, +without any interaction. However, the occasional glitch or system change +occurs which requires human intervention. +</p> + +<p> +If you have a high-speed connection to the Internet, the resources to mirror +all or part of the distribution, and are willing to take the time (or find +someone) who can provide regular maintenance of the system, then please contact +<code><a +href="mailto:debian-admin@lists.debian.org">debian-admin@lists.debian.org</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-supportingorganizations"></a>12.3 How can I contribute financially to the Debian project?</h2> + +<p> +One can make individual donations to one of two organizations that are critical +to the development of the Debian project. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-SPI"></a>12.3.1 Software in the Public Interest</h3> + +<p> +Software in the Public Interest (SPI) is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit +organization, formed when FSF withdrew their sponsorship of Debian. The +purpose of the organization is to develop and distribute free software. +</p> + +<p> +Our goals are very much like those of FSF, and we encourage programmers to use +the GNU General Public License on their programs. However, we have a slightly +different focus in that we are building and distributing a Linux system that +diverges in many technical details from the GNU system planned by FSF. We +still communicate with FSF, and we cooperate in sending them changes to GNU +software and in asking our users to donate to FSF and the GNU project. +</p> + +<p> +SPI can be reached at: <code><a +href="http://www.spi-inc.org/">http://www.spi-inc.org/</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-FSF"></a>12.3.2 Free Software Foundation</h3> + +<p> +At this time there is no formal connection between Debian and the Free Software +Foundation. However, the Free Software Foundation is responsible for some of +the most important software components in Debian, including the GNU C compiler, +GNU Emacs, and much of the C run-time library that is used by all programs on +the system. FSF pioneered much of what free software is today: they wrote the +General Public License that is used on much of the Debian software, and they +invented the "GNU" project to create an entirely free Unix system. +Debian should be considered a descendent of the GNU system. +</p> + +<p> +FSF can be reached at: <code><a +href="http://www.fsf.org/">http://www.fsf.org/</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ 12 ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-customizing.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-customizing.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..fb8988858 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-customizing.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,522 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Customizing your installation of Debian GNU/Linux</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-customizing"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ 10 ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 10 - Customizing your installation of Debian GNU/Linux +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-papersize"></a>10.1 How can I ensure that all programs use the same paper size?</h2> + +<p> +Install the <code>libpaper1</code> package, and it will ask you for a +system-wide default paper size. This setting will be kept in the file +<samp>/etc/papersize</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Users can override the paper size setting using the <samp>PAPERSIZE</samp> +environment variable. For details, see the manual page +<code>papersize(5)</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-hardwareaccess"></a>10.2 How can I provide access to hardware peripherals, without compromising security?</h2> + +<p> +Many device files in the <samp>/dev</samp> directory belong to some predefined +groups. For example, <samp>/dev/fd0</samp> belongs to the <samp>floppy</samp> +group, and <samp>/dev/dsp</samp> belongs to the <samp>audio</samp> group. +</p> + +<p> +If you want a certain user to have access to one of these devices, just add the +user to the group the device belongs to, i.e. do: +</p> + +<pre> + adduser user group +</pre> + +<p> +This way you won't have to change the file permissions on the device. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-consolefont"></a>10.3 How do I load a console font on startup the Debian way?</h2> + +<p> +The <code>kbd</code> and <code>console-tools</code> packages support this, edit +<samp>/etc/kbd/config</samp> or <samp>/etc/console-tools/config</samp> files. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-appdefaults"></a>10.4 How can I configure an X11 program's application defaults?</h2> + +<p> +Debian's X programs will install their application resource data in the +<samp>/etc/X11/app-defaults/</samp> directory. If you want to customize X +applications globally, put your customizations in those files. They are marked +as configuration files, so their contents will be preserved during upgrades. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-booting"></a>10.5 Every distribution seems to have a different boot-up method. Tell me about Debian's.</h2> + +<p> +Like all Unices, Debian boots up by executing the program <samp>init</samp>. +The configuration file for <samp>init</samp> (which is +<samp>/etc/inittab</samp>) specifies that the first script to be executed +should be <samp>/etc/init.d/rcS</samp>. This script runs all of the scripts in +<samp>/etc/rcS.d/</samp> by sourcing or forking subprocess depending on their +file extension to perform initialization such as to check and to mount file +systems, to load modules, to start the network services, to set the clock, and +to perform other initialization. Then, for compatibility, it runs the files +(except those with a `.'in the filename) in <samp>/etc/rc.boot/</samp> too. +Any scripts in the latter directory are usually reserved for system +administrator use, and using them in packages is deprecated. +</p> + +<p> +After completing the boot process, <samp>init</samp> executes all start scripts +in a directory specified by the default runlevel (this runlevel is given by the +entry for <samp>id</samp> in <samp>/etc/inittab</samp>). Like most System V +compatible Unices, Linux has 7 runlevels: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +0 (halt the system), +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +1 (single-user mode), +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +2 through 5 (various multi-user modes), and +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +6 (reboot the system). +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Debian systems come with id=2, which indicates that the default runlevel will +be '2' when the multi-user state is entered, and the scripts in +<samp>/etc/rc2.d/</samp> will be run. +</p> + +<p> +In fact, the scripts in any of the directories, <samp>/etc/rcN.d/</samp> are +just symbolic links back to scripts in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp>. However, the +<em>names</em> of the files in each of the <samp>/etc/rcN.d/</samp> directories +are selected to indicate the <em>way</em> the scripts in +<samp>/etc/init.d/</samp> will be run. Specifically, before entering any +runlevel, all the scripts beginning with 'K' are run; these scripts kill +services. Then all the scripts beginning with 'S' are run; these scripts start +services. The two-digit number following the 'K' or 'S' indicates the order in +which the script is run. Lower numbered scripts are executed first. +</p> + +<p> +This approach works because the scripts in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp> all take +an argument which can be either `start', `stop', `reload', `restart' or +`force-reload' and will then do the task indicated by the argument. These +scripts can be used even after a system has been booted, to control various +processes. +</p> + +<p> +For example, with the argument `reload' the command +</p> + +<pre> + /etc/init.d/sendmail reload +</pre> + +<p> +sends the sendmail daemon a signal to reread its configuration file. (BTW, +Debian supplies <code>invoke-rc.d</code> as a wrapper for invoking the scripts +in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp>.) +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-custombootscripts"></a>10.6 It looks as if Debian does not use <samp>rc.local</samp> to customize the boot process; what facilities are provided?</h2> + +<p> +Suppose a system needs to execute script <samp>foo</samp> on start-up, or on +entry to a particular (System V) runlevel. Then the system administrator +should: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Enter the script <samp>foo</samp> into the directory <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Run the Debian command <samp>update-rc.d</samp> with appropriate arguments, to +set up links between the (command-line-specified) directories rc?.d and +<samp>/etc/init.d/foo</samp>. Here, '?' is a number from 0 through 6 and +corresponds to each of the System V runlevels. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Reboot the system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The command <samp>update-rc.d</samp> will set up links between files in the +directories rc?.d and the script in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp>. Each link will +begin with a 'S' or a 'K', followed by a number, followed by the name of the +script. Scripts beginning with 'S' in <samp>/etc/rcN.d/</samp> are executed +when runlevel <samp>N</samp> is entered. Scripts beginning with a 'K' are +executed when leaving runlevel <samp>N</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +One might, for example, cause the script <samp>foo</samp> to execute at +boot-up, by putting it in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp> and installing the links +with <samp>update-rc.d foo defaults 19</samp>. The argument 'defaults' refers +to the default runlevels, which are 2 through 5. The argument '19' ensures +that <samp>foo</samp> is called before any scripts containing numbers 20 or +larger. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-interconffiles"></a>10.7 How does the package management system deal with packages that contain configuration files for other packages?</h2> + +<p> +Some users wish to create, for example, a new server by installing a group of +Debian packages and a locally generated package consisting of configuration +files. This is not generally a good idea, because <code>dpkg</code> will not +know about those configuration files if they are in a different package, and +may write conflicting configurations when one of the initial "group" +of packages is upgraded. +</p> + +<p> +Instead, create a local package that modifies the configuration files of the +"group" of Debian packages of interest. Then <code>dpkg</code> and +the rest of the package management system will see that the files have been +modified by the local "sysadmin" and will not try to overwrite them +when those packages are upgraded. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-divert"></a>10.8 How do I override a file installed by a package, so that a different version can be used instead?</h2> + +<p> +Suppose a sysadmin or local user wishes to use a program +"login-local" rather than the program "login" provided by +the Debian <code>login</code> package. +</p> + +<p> +Do <strong>not</strong>: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Overwrite <samp>/bin/login</samp> with <samp>login-local</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The package management system will not know about this change, and will simply +overwrite your custom <samp>/bin/login</samp> whenever <samp>login</samp> (or +any package that provides <samp>/bin/login</samp>) is installed or updated. +</p> + +<p> +Rather, do +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Execute: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg-divert --divert /bin/login.debian /bin/login +</pre> + +<p> +in order to cause all future installations of the Debian <code>login</code> +package to write the file <samp>/bin/login</samp> to +<samp>/bin/login.debian</samp> instead. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Then execute: +</p> + +<pre> + cp login-local /bin/login +</pre> + +<p> +to move your own locally-built program into place. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Details are given in the manual page <code>dpkg-divert(8)</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-localpackages"></a>10.9 How can I have my locally-built package included in the list of available packages that the package management system knows about?</h2> + +<p> +Execute the command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg-scanpackages BIN_DIR OVERRIDE_FILE [PATHPREFIX] > my_Packages +</pre> + +<p> +where: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +BIN-DIR is a directory where Debian archive files (which usually have an +extension of ".deb") are stored. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +OVERRIDE_FILE is a file that is edited by the distribution maintainers and is +usually stored on a Debian FTP archive at <samp>indices/override.main.gz</samp> +for the Debian packages in the "main" distribution. You can ignore +this for local packages. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +PATHPREFIX is an <em>optional</em> string that can be prepended to the +<samp>my_Packages</samp> file being produced. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Once you have built the file <samp>my_Packages</samp>, tell the package +management system about it by using the command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --merge-avail my_Packages +</pre> + +<p> +If you are using APT, you can add the local repository to your +<code>sources.list(5)</code> file, too. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-diverse"></a>10.10 Some users like mawk, others like gawk; some like vim, others like elvis; some like trn, others like tin; how does Debian support diversity?</h2> + +<p> +There are several cases where two packages provide two different versions of a +program, both of which provide the same core functionality. Users might prefer +one over another out of habit, or because the user interface of one package is +somehow more pleasing than the interface of another. Other users on the same +system might make a different choice. +</p> + +<p> +Debian uses a "virtual" package system to allow system administrators +to choose (or let users choose) their favorite tools when there are two or more +that provide the same basic functionality, yet satisfy package dependency +requirements without specifying a particular package. +</p> + +<p> +For example, there might exist two different versions of newsreaders on a +system. The news server package might 'recommend' that there exist +<em>some</em> news reader on the system, but the choice of <samp>tin</samp> or +<samp>trn</samp> is left up to the individual user. This is satisfied by +having both the <code>tin</code> and <code>trn</code> packages provide the +virtual package <code>news-reader</code>. <em>Which</em> program is invoked is +determined by a link pointing from a file with the virtual package name +<samp>/etc/alternatives/news-reader</samp> to the selected file, e.g., +<samp>/usr/bin/trn</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +A single link is insufficient to support full use of an alternate program; +normally, manual pages, and possibly other supporting files must be selected as +well. The Perl script <samp>update-alternatives</samp> provides a way of +ensuring that all the files associated with a specified package are selected as +a system default. +</p> + +<p> +For example, to check what executables provide `x-window-manager', run: +</p> + +<pre> + update-alternatives --display x-window-manager +</pre> + +<p> +If you want to change it, run: +</p> + +<pre> + update-alternatives --config x-window-manager +</pre> + +<p> +And follow the instructions on the screen (basically, press the number next to +the entry you'd like better). +</p> + +<p> +If a package doesn't register itself as a window manager for some reason (file +a bug if it's in error), or if you use a window manager from /usr/local +directory, the selections on screen won't contain your preferred entry. You +can update the link through command line options, like this: +</p> + +<pre> + update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/x-window-manager \ + x-window-manager /usr/local/bin/wmaker-cvs 50 +</pre> + +<p> +The first argument to `--install' option is the symlink that points to +/etc/alternatives/NAME, where NAME is the second argument. The third argument +is the program to which /etc/alternatives/NAME should point to, and the fourth +argument is the priority (larger value means the alternative will more probably +get picked automatically). +</p> + +<p> +To remove an alternative you added, simply run: +</p> + +<pre> + update-alternatives --remove x-window-manager /usr/local/bin/wmaker-cvs +</pre> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ 10 ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-customizing.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-customizing.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..fb8988858 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-customizing.html @@ -0,0 +1,522 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Customizing your installation of Debian GNU/Linux</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-customizing"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ 10 ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 10 - Customizing your installation of Debian GNU/Linux +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-papersize"></a>10.1 How can I ensure that all programs use the same paper size?</h2> + +<p> +Install the <code>libpaper1</code> package, and it will ask you for a +system-wide default paper size. This setting will be kept in the file +<samp>/etc/papersize</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Users can override the paper size setting using the <samp>PAPERSIZE</samp> +environment variable. For details, see the manual page +<code>papersize(5)</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-hardwareaccess"></a>10.2 How can I provide access to hardware peripherals, without compromising security?</h2> + +<p> +Many device files in the <samp>/dev</samp> directory belong to some predefined +groups. For example, <samp>/dev/fd0</samp> belongs to the <samp>floppy</samp> +group, and <samp>/dev/dsp</samp> belongs to the <samp>audio</samp> group. +</p> + +<p> +If you want a certain user to have access to one of these devices, just add the +user to the group the device belongs to, i.e. do: +</p> + +<pre> + adduser user group +</pre> + +<p> +This way you won't have to change the file permissions on the device. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-consolefont"></a>10.3 How do I load a console font on startup the Debian way?</h2> + +<p> +The <code>kbd</code> and <code>console-tools</code> packages support this, edit +<samp>/etc/kbd/config</samp> or <samp>/etc/console-tools/config</samp> files. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-appdefaults"></a>10.4 How can I configure an X11 program's application defaults?</h2> + +<p> +Debian's X programs will install their application resource data in the +<samp>/etc/X11/app-defaults/</samp> directory. If you want to customize X +applications globally, put your customizations in those files. They are marked +as configuration files, so their contents will be preserved during upgrades. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-booting"></a>10.5 Every distribution seems to have a different boot-up method. Tell me about Debian's.</h2> + +<p> +Like all Unices, Debian boots up by executing the program <samp>init</samp>. +The configuration file for <samp>init</samp> (which is +<samp>/etc/inittab</samp>) specifies that the first script to be executed +should be <samp>/etc/init.d/rcS</samp>. This script runs all of the scripts in +<samp>/etc/rcS.d/</samp> by sourcing or forking subprocess depending on their +file extension to perform initialization such as to check and to mount file +systems, to load modules, to start the network services, to set the clock, and +to perform other initialization. Then, for compatibility, it runs the files +(except those with a `.'in the filename) in <samp>/etc/rc.boot/</samp> too. +Any scripts in the latter directory are usually reserved for system +administrator use, and using them in packages is deprecated. +</p> + +<p> +After completing the boot process, <samp>init</samp> executes all start scripts +in a directory specified by the default runlevel (this runlevel is given by the +entry for <samp>id</samp> in <samp>/etc/inittab</samp>). Like most System V +compatible Unices, Linux has 7 runlevels: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +0 (halt the system), +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +1 (single-user mode), +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +2 through 5 (various multi-user modes), and +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +6 (reboot the system). +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Debian systems come with id=2, which indicates that the default runlevel will +be '2' when the multi-user state is entered, and the scripts in +<samp>/etc/rc2.d/</samp> will be run. +</p> + +<p> +In fact, the scripts in any of the directories, <samp>/etc/rcN.d/</samp> are +just symbolic links back to scripts in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp>. However, the +<em>names</em> of the files in each of the <samp>/etc/rcN.d/</samp> directories +are selected to indicate the <em>way</em> the scripts in +<samp>/etc/init.d/</samp> will be run. Specifically, before entering any +runlevel, all the scripts beginning with 'K' are run; these scripts kill +services. Then all the scripts beginning with 'S' are run; these scripts start +services. The two-digit number following the 'K' or 'S' indicates the order in +which the script is run. Lower numbered scripts are executed first. +</p> + +<p> +This approach works because the scripts in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp> all take +an argument which can be either `start', `stop', `reload', `restart' or +`force-reload' and will then do the task indicated by the argument. These +scripts can be used even after a system has been booted, to control various +processes. +</p> + +<p> +For example, with the argument `reload' the command +</p> + +<pre> + /etc/init.d/sendmail reload +</pre> + +<p> +sends the sendmail daemon a signal to reread its configuration file. (BTW, +Debian supplies <code>invoke-rc.d</code> as a wrapper for invoking the scripts +in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp>.) +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-custombootscripts"></a>10.6 It looks as if Debian does not use <samp>rc.local</samp> to customize the boot process; what facilities are provided?</h2> + +<p> +Suppose a system needs to execute script <samp>foo</samp> on start-up, or on +entry to a particular (System V) runlevel. Then the system administrator +should: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Enter the script <samp>foo</samp> into the directory <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Run the Debian command <samp>update-rc.d</samp> with appropriate arguments, to +set up links between the (command-line-specified) directories rc?.d and +<samp>/etc/init.d/foo</samp>. Here, '?' is a number from 0 through 6 and +corresponds to each of the System V runlevels. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Reboot the system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The command <samp>update-rc.d</samp> will set up links between files in the +directories rc?.d and the script in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp>. Each link will +begin with a 'S' or a 'K', followed by a number, followed by the name of the +script. Scripts beginning with 'S' in <samp>/etc/rcN.d/</samp> are executed +when runlevel <samp>N</samp> is entered. Scripts beginning with a 'K' are +executed when leaving runlevel <samp>N</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +One might, for example, cause the script <samp>foo</samp> to execute at +boot-up, by putting it in <samp>/etc/init.d/</samp> and installing the links +with <samp>update-rc.d foo defaults 19</samp>. The argument 'defaults' refers +to the default runlevels, which are 2 through 5. The argument '19' ensures +that <samp>foo</samp> is called before any scripts containing numbers 20 or +larger. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-interconffiles"></a>10.7 How does the package management system deal with packages that contain configuration files for other packages?</h2> + +<p> +Some users wish to create, for example, a new server by installing a group of +Debian packages and a locally generated package consisting of configuration +files. This is not generally a good idea, because <code>dpkg</code> will not +know about those configuration files if they are in a different package, and +may write conflicting configurations when one of the initial "group" +of packages is upgraded. +</p> + +<p> +Instead, create a local package that modifies the configuration files of the +"group" of Debian packages of interest. Then <code>dpkg</code> and +the rest of the package management system will see that the files have been +modified by the local "sysadmin" and will not try to overwrite them +when those packages are upgraded. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-divert"></a>10.8 How do I override a file installed by a package, so that a different version can be used instead?</h2> + +<p> +Suppose a sysadmin or local user wishes to use a program +"login-local" rather than the program "login" provided by +the Debian <code>login</code> package. +</p> + +<p> +Do <strong>not</strong>: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Overwrite <samp>/bin/login</samp> with <samp>login-local</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The package management system will not know about this change, and will simply +overwrite your custom <samp>/bin/login</samp> whenever <samp>login</samp> (or +any package that provides <samp>/bin/login</samp>) is installed or updated. +</p> + +<p> +Rather, do +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Execute: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg-divert --divert /bin/login.debian /bin/login +</pre> + +<p> +in order to cause all future installations of the Debian <code>login</code> +package to write the file <samp>/bin/login</samp> to +<samp>/bin/login.debian</samp> instead. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Then execute: +</p> + +<pre> + cp login-local /bin/login +</pre> + +<p> +to move your own locally-built program into place. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Details are given in the manual page <code>dpkg-divert(8)</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-localpackages"></a>10.9 How can I have my locally-built package included in the list of available packages that the package management system knows about?</h2> + +<p> +Execute the command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg-scanpackages BIN_DIR OVERRIDE_FILE [PATHPREFIX] > my_Packages +</pre> + +<p> +where: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +BIN-DIR is a directory where Debian archive files (which usually have an +extension of ".deb") are stored. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +OVERRIDE_FILE is a file that is edited by the distribution maintainers and is +usually stored on a Debian FTP archive at <samp>indices/override.main.gz</samp> +for the Debian packages in the "main" distribution. You can ignore +this for local packages. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +PATHPREFIX is an <em>optional</em> string that can be prepended to the +<samp>my_Packages</samp> file being produced. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Once you have built the file <samp>my_Packages</samp>, tell the package +management system about it by using the command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --merge-avail my_Packages +</pre> + +<p> +If you are using APT, you can add the local repository to your +<code>sources.list(5)</code> file, too. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-diverse"></a>10.10 Some users like mawk, others like gawk; some like vim, others like elvis; some like trn, others like tin; how does Debian support diversity?</h2> + +<p> +There are several cases where two packages provide two different versions of a +program, both of which provide the same core functionality. Users might prefer +one over another out of habit, or because the user interface of one package is +somehow more pleasing than the interface of another. Other users on the same +system might make a different choice. +</p> + +<p> +Debian uses a "virtual" package system to allow system administrators +to choose (or let users choose) their favorite tools when there are two or more +that provide the same basic functionality, yet satisfy package dependency +requirements without specifying a particular package. +</p> + +<p> +For example, there might exist two different versions of newsreaders on a +system. The news server package might 'recommend' that there exist +<em>some</em> news reader on the system, but the choice of <samp>tin</samp> or +<samp>trn</samp> is left up to the individual user. This is satisfied by +having both the <code>tin</code> and <code>trn</code> packages provide the +virtual package <code>news-reader</code>. <em>Which</em> program is invoked is +determined by a link pointing from a file with the virtual package name +<samp>/etc/alternatives/news-reader</samp> to the selected file, e.g., +<samp>/usr/bin/trn</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +A single link is insufficient to support full use of an alternate program; +normally, manual pages, and possibly other supporting files must be selected as +well. The Perl script <samp>update-alternatives</samp> provides a way of +ensuring that all the files associated with a specified package are selected as +a system default. +</p> + +<p> +For example, to check what executables provide `x-window-manager', run: +</p> + +<pre> + update-alternatives --display x-window-manager +</pre> + +<p> +If you want to change it, run: +</p> + +<pre> + update-alternatives --config x-window-manager +</pre> + +<p> +And follow the instructions on the screen (basically, press the number next to +the entry you'd like better). +</p> + +<p> +If a package doesn't register itself as a window manager for some reason (file +a bug if it's in error), or if you use a window manager from /usr/local +directory, the selections on screen won't contain your preferred entry. You +can update the link through command line options, like this: +</p> + +<pre> + update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/x-window-manager \ + x-window-manager /usr/local/bin/wmaker-cvs 50 +</pre> + +<p> +The first argument to `--install' option is the symlink that points to +/etc/alternatives/NAME, where NAME is the second argument. The third argument +is the program to which /etc/alternatives/NAME should point to, and the fourth +argument is the priority (larger value means the alternative will more probably +get picked automatically). +</p> + +<p> +To remove an alternative you added, simply run: +</p> + +<pre> + update-alternatives --remove x-window-manager /usr/local/bin/wmaker-cvs +</pre> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ 10 ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-faqinfo.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-faqinfo.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..6fdb982a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-faqinfo.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,210 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - General information about the FAQ</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-faqinfo"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ 15 ] +[ <a href="index.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 15 - General information about the FAQ +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-authors"></a>15.1 Authors</h2> + +<p> +The first edition of this FAQ was made and maintained by J.H.M. Dassen (Ray) +and Chuck Stickelman. Authors of the rewritten Debian GNU/Linux FAQ are Susan +G. Kleinmann and Sven Rudolph. After them, the FAQ was maintained by Santiago +Vila and, later, by Josip Rodin. The current maintainer is Javier +Fernandez-Sanguino. +</p> + +<p> +Parts of the information came from: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +The Debian-1.1 release announcement, by <code><a +href="http://www.perens.com/">Bruce Perens</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +The Linux FAQ, by <code><a +href="http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~ijackson/">Ian Jackson</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a href="http://lists.debian.org/">Debian Mailing Lists +Archives</a></code>, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +the dpkg programmers' manual and the Debian Policy manual (see <a +href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">What other documentation exists on and +for a Debian system?, Section 11.1</a>) +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +many developers, volunteers, and beta testers, and +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +the flaky memories of its authors. :-) +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The authors would like to thank all those who helped make this document +possible. +</p> + +<p> +All warranties are disclaimed. All trademarks are property of their respective +trademark owners. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-feedback"></a>15.2 Feedback</h2> + +<p> +Comments and additions to this document are always welcome. Please send e-mail +to <code><a +href="mailto:doc-debian@packages.debian.org">doc-debian@packages.debian.org</a></code>, +or submit a wishlist bug report against the <code><code><a +href="http://bugs.debian.org/doc-debian">doc-debian</a></code></code> package. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-latest"></a>15.3 Availability</h2> + +<p> +The latest version of this document can be viewed on the Debian WWW pages at +<code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/">http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +It is also available for download in plain text, HTML, PostScript and PDF +formats at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#faq">http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#faq</a></code>. +Also, there are several translations there. +</p> + +<p> +The original SGML files used to create this document are also available in +<code>doc-debian</code>'s source package, or in CVS at: +<samp>:pserver:anonymous@cvs.debian.org:/cvs/debian-doc/ddp/manuals.sgml/faq</samp> +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-docformat"></a>15.4 Document format</h2> + +<p> +This document was written using the DebianDoc SGML DTD (rewritten from LinuxDoc +SGML). DebianDoc SGML systems enables us to create files in a variety of +formats from one source, e.g. this document can be viewed as HTML, plain text, +TeX DVI, PostScript, PDF, or GNU info. +</p> + +<p> +Conversion utilities for DebianDoc SGML are available in Debian package +<code>debiandoc-sgml</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ 15 ] +[ <a href="index.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-faqinfo.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-faqinfo.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..6fdb982a7 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-faqinfo.html @@ -0,0 +1,210 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - General information about the FAQ</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-faqinfo"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ 15 ] +[ <a href="index.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 15 - General information about the FAQ +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-authors"></a>15.1 Authors</h2> + +<p> +The first edition of this FAQ was made and maintained by J.H.M. Dassen (Ray) +and Chuck Stickelman. Authors of the rewritten Debian GNU/Linux FAQ are Susan +G. Kleinmann and Sven Rudolph. After them, the FAQ was maintained by Santiago +Vila and, later, by Josip Rodin. The current maintainer is Javier +Fernandez-Sanguino. +</p> + +<p> +Parts of the information came from: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +The Debian-1.1 release announcement, by <code><a +href="http://www.perens.com/">Bruce Perens</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +The Linux FAQ, by <code><a +href="http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~ijackson/">Ian Jackson</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a href="http://lists.debian.org/">Debian Mailing Lists +Archives</a></code>, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +the dpkg programmers' manual and the Debian Policy manual (see <a +href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">What other documentation exists on and +for a Debian system?, Section 11.1</a>) +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +many developers, volunteers, and beta testers, and +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +the flaky memories of its authors. :-) +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The authors would like to thank all those who helped make this document +possible. +</p> + +<p> +All warranties are disclaimed. All trademarks are property of their respective +trademark owners. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-feedback"></a>15.2 Feedback</h2> + +<p> +Comments and additions to this document are always welcome. Please send e-mail +to <code><a +href="mailto:doc-debian@packages.debian.org">doc-debian@packages.debian.org</a></code>, +or submit a wishlist bug report against the <code><code><a +href="http://bugs.debian.org/doc-debian">doc-debian</a></code></code> package. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-latest"></a>15.3 Availability</h2> + +<p> +The latest version of this document can be viewed on the Debian WWW pages at +<code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/">http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +It is also available for download in plain text, HTML, PostScript and PDF +formats at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#faq">http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#faq</a></code>. +Also, there are several translations there. +</p> + +<p> +The original SGML files used to create this document are also available in +<code>doc-debian</code>'s source package, or in CVS at: +<samp>:pserver:anonymous@cvs.debian.org:/cvs/debian-doc/ddp/manuals.sgml/faq</samp> +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-docformat"></a>15.4 Document format</h2> + +<p> +This document was written using the DebianDoc SGML DTD (rewritten from LinuxDoc +SGML). DebianDoc SGML systems enables us to create files in a variety of +formats from one source, e.g. this document can be viewed as HTML, plain text, +TeX DVI, PostScript, PDF, or GNU info. +</p> + +<p> +Conversion utilities for DebianDoc SGML are available in Debian package +<code>debiandoc-sgml</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ 15 ] +[ <a href="index.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-ftparchives.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-ftparchives.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..013350708 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-ftparchives.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,567 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - The Debian FTP archives</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-ftparchives"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ 5 ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 5 - The Debian FTP archives +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-dirtree"></a>5.1 What are all those directories at the Debian FTP archives?</h2> + +<p> +The software that has been packaged for Debian GNU/Linux is available in one of +several directory trees on each Debian mirror site. +</p> + +<p> +The <samp>dists</samp> directory is short for "distributions", and it +is the canonical way to access the currently available Debian releases (and +pre-releases). +</p> + +<p> +The <samp>pool</samp> directory contains the actual packages, see <a +href="#s-pools">What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?, Section 5.10</a>. +</p> + +<p> +There are the following supplementary directories: +</p> +<dl> +<dt><em>/tools/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +DOS utilities for creating boot disks, partitioning your disk drive, +compressing/decompressing files, and booting Linux. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>/doc/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +The basic Debian documentation, such as the FAQ, the bug reporting system +instructions, etc. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>/indices/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +The Maintainers file and the override files. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>/project/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +mostly developer-only materials, such as: +</p> +<dl> +<dt><em>project/experimental/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This directory contains packages and tools which are still being developed, and +are still in the alpha testing stage. Users shouldn't be using packages from +here, because they can be dangerous and harmful even for the most experienced +people. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +</dd> +</dl> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-dists"></a>5.2 How many Debian distributions are there in the <samp>dists</samp> directory?</h2> + +<p> +There are three distributions, the "stable" distribution, the +"testing" distribution, and the "unstable" distribution. +The "testing" distribution is sometimes `frozen' (see <a +href="#s-frozen">What about "testing"? How is it `frozen'?, Section +5.6.1</a>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-codenames"></a>5.3 What are all those names like slink, potato, etc.?</h2> + +<p> +They are just "codenames". When a Debian distribution is in the +development stage, it has no version number but a codename. The purpose of +these codenames is to make easier the mirroring of the Debian distributions (if +a real directory like <samp>unstable</samp> suddenly changed its name to +<samp>stable</samp>, a lot of stuff would have to be needlessly downloaded +again). +</p> + +<p> +Currently, <samp>stable</samp> is a symbolic link to <samp>sarge</samp> (i.e. +Debian GNU/Linux 3.1) and <samp>testing</samp> is a symbolic link to +<samp>etch</samp>. This means that <samp>sarge</samp> is the current stable +distribution and <samp>etch</samp> is the current testing distribution. +</p> + +<p> +<samp>unstable</samp> is a permanent symbolic link to <samp>sid</samp>, as +<samp>sid</samp> is always the unstable distribution (see <a href="#s-sid">What +about "sid"?, Section 5.4</a>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-oldcodenames"></a>5.3.1 Which other codenames have been used in the past?</h3> + +<p> +Other codenames that have been already used are: <samp>buzz</samp> for release +1.1, <samp>rex</samp> for release 1.2, <samp>bo</samp> for releases 1.3.x, +<samp>hamm</samp> for release 2.0, <samp>slink</samp> for release 2.1, +<samp>potato</samp> for release 2.2 and <samp>woody</samp> for release 3.0. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-sourceforcodenames"></a>5.3.2 Where do these codenames come from?</h3> + +<p> +So far they have been characters taken from the movie "Toy Story" by +Pixar. +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>buzz</em> (Buzz Lightyear) was the spaceman, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>rex</em> was the tyrannosaurus, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>bo</em> (Bo Peep) was the girl who took care of the sheep, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>hamm</em> was the piggy bank, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>slink</em> (Slinky Dog (R)) was the toy dog, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>potato</em> was, of course, Mr. Potato (R), +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>woody</em> was the cowboy, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>sarge</em> was the sergeant of the Green Plastic Army Men, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>etch</em> was the toy blackboard (Etch-a-Sketch (R)). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>sid</em> was the boy next door who destroyed toys. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-sid"></a>5.4 What about "sid"?</h2> + +<p> +<em>sid</em> or <em>unstable</em> is the place where most of the packages are +initially uploaded. It will never be released directly, because packages which +are to be released will first have to be included in <em>testing</em>, in order +to be released in <em>stable</em> later on. sid contains packages for both +released and unreleased architectures. +</p> + +<p> +The name "sid" also comes from the "Toy Story" animated +motion picture: Sid was the boy next door who destroyed toys :-) +</p> + +<p> +[<a href="footnotes.en.html#f1" name="fr1">1</a>] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-stable"></a>5.5 What does the stable directory contain?</h2> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +stable/main/: This directory contains the packages which formally constitute +the most recent release of the Debian GNU/Linux system. +</p> + +<p> +These packages all comply with the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines">Debian Free Software +Guidelines</a></code>, and are all freely usable and distributable. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +stable/non-free/: This directory contains packages distribution of which is +restricted in a way that requires that distributors take careful account of the +specified copyright requirements. +</p> + +<p> +For example, some packages have licenses which prohibit commercial +distribution. Others can be redistributed but are in fact shareware and not +freeware. The licenses of each of these packages must be studied, and possibly +negotiated, before the packages are included in any redistribution (e.g., in a +CD-ROM). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +stable/contrib/: This directory contains packages which are DFSG-free and +<em>freely distributable</em> themselves, but somehow depend on a package that +is <em>not</em> freely distributable and thus available only in the non-free +section. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-testing"></a>5.6 What does the testing directory contain?</h2> + +<p> +Packages are installed into the `testing' directory after they have undergone +some degree of testing in <a href="#s-unstable">unstable</a>. +</p> + +<p> +They must be in sync on all architectures where they have been built and +mustn't have dependencies that make them uninstallable; they also have to have +fewer release-critical bugs than the versions currently in testing. This way, +we hope that `testing' is always close to being a release candidate. +</p> + +<p> +More information about the status of "testing" in general and the +individual packages is available at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/devel/testing">http://www.debian.org/devel/testing</a></code> +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-frozen"></a>5.6.1 What about "testing"? How is it `frozen'?</h3> + +<p> +When the "testing" distribution is mature enough, the release manager +starts `freezing' it. The normal propagation delays are increased to ensure +that as little as possible new bugs from "unstable" enter +"testing". +</p> + +<p> +After a while, the "testing" distribution becomes truly `frozen'. +This means that all new packages that are to propagate to the +"testing" are held back, unless they include release-critical bug +fixes. The "testing" distribution can also remain in such a deep +freeze during the so-called `test cycles', when the release is imminent. +</p> + +<p> +We keep a record of bugs in the "testing" distribution that can hold +off a package from being released, or bugs that can hold back the whole +release. For details, please see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/testing/">current testing release +information</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +Once that bug count lowers to maximum acceptable values, the frozen +"testing" distribution is declared "stable" and released +with a version number. +</p> + +<p> +With each new release, the previous "stable" distribution becomes +obsolete and moves to the archive. For more information please see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/distrib/archive">Debian archive</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-unstable"></a>5.7 What does the unstable directory contain?</h2> + +<p> +The `unstable' directory contains a snapshot of the current development system. +Users are welcome to use and test these packages, but are warned about their +state of readiness. The advantage of using the unstable distribution is that +you are always up-to-date with the latest in GNU/Linux software industry, but +if it breaks: you get to keep both parts :-) +</p> + +<p> +There are also main, contrib and non-free subdirectories in `unstable', +separated on the same criteria as in `stable'. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-archsections"></a>5.8 What are all those directories inside <samp>dists/stable/main</samp>?</h2> + +<p> +Within each of the major directory trees[<a href="footnotes.en.html#f2" +name="fr2">2</a>], there are three sets of subdirectories containing index +files. +</p> + +<p> +There's one set of <samp>binary-<var>something</var></samp> subdirectories +which contain index files for binary packages of each available computer +architecture, for example <samp>binary-i386</samp> for packages which execute +on Intel x86 PC machines or <samp>binary-sparc</samp> for packages which +execute on Sun SPARCStations. +</p> + +<p> +The complete list of available architectures for each release is available at +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/releases/">the release's web +page</a></code>. For the current release, please see <a +href="ch-compat.en.html#s-arches">On what hardware architectures/systems does +Debian GNU/Linux run?, Section 3.1</a>. +</p> + +<p> +The index files in binary-* are called Packages(.gz) and they include a summary +of each binary package that is included in that distribution. The actual +binary packages (for <em>woody</em> and subsequent releases) reside in the top +level <a href="#s-pools"><samp>pool</samp> directory</a>. +</p> + +<p> +Furthermore, there's a subdirectory called source/ which contains index files +for source packages included in the distribution. The index file is called +Sources(.gz). +</p> + +<p> +Last but not least, there's a set of subdirectories meant for the installation +system index files. In the <em>woody</em> release, these are named +<samp>disks-<var>architecture</var></samp>; in <em>sarge</em>, they are at +<samp>debian-installer/binary-<var>architecture</var></samp>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-source"></a>5.9 Where is the source code?</h2> + +<p> +Source code is included for everything in the Debian system. Moreover, the +license terms of most programs in the system <em>require</em> that source code +be distributed along with the programs, or that an offer to provide the source +code accompany the programs. +</p> + +<p> +The source code is distributed in the <samp>pool</samp> directory (see <a +href="#s-pools">What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?, Section 5.10</a>) +together with all the architecture-specific binary directories. To retrieve +the source code without having to be familiar with the structure of the FTP +archive, try a command like <samp>apt-get source mypackagename</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Some packages are only distributed as source code due to the restrictions in +their licenses. Notably, one such package is <samp>pine</samp>, see <a +href="ch-software.en.html#s-pine">Where is pine?, Section 4.10</a> for more +information. +</p> + +<p> +Source code may or may not be available for packages in the "contrib" +and "non-free" directories, which are not formally part of the Debian +system. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pools"></a>5.10 What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?</h2> + +<p> +Packages are kept in a large `pool', structured according to the name of the +source package. To make this manageable, the pool is subdivided by section +(`main', `contrib' and `non-free') and by the first letter of the source +package name. These directories contain several files: the binary packages for +each architecture, and the source packages from which the binary packages were +generated. +</p> + +<p> +You can find out where each package is placed by executing a command like +<samp>apt-cache showsrc mypackagename</samp> and looking at the `Directory:' +line. For example, the <samp>apache</samp> packages are stored in +<samp>pool/main/a/apache/</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Additionally, since there are so many <samp>lib*</samp> packages, these are +treated specially: for instance, libpaper packages are stored in +<samp>pool/main/libp/libpaper/</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +[<a href="footnotes.en.html#f3" name="fr3">3</a>] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-incoming"></a>5.11 What is "incoming"?</h2> + +<p> +After a developer uploads a package, it stays for a short while in the +"incoming" directory before it is checked that it's genuine and +allowed into the archive. +</p> + +<p> +Usually nobody should install things from this place. However, in some rare +cases of emergency, the incoming directory is available at <code><a +href="http://incoming.debian.org/">http://incoming.debian.org/</a></code>. You +can manually fetch packages, check the GPG signature and MD5sums in the +.changes and .dsc files, and then install them. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-ownrepository"></a>5.12 How do I set up my own apt-able repository?</h2> + +<p> +If you have built some private Debian packages which you'd like to install +using the standard Debian package management tools, you can set up your own +apt-able package archive. This is also useful if you'd like to share your +Debian packages while these are not distributed by the Debian project. +Instructions on how to do this are given in the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/repository-howto/repository-howto">Debian +Repository HOWTO</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ 5 ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-ftparchives.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-ftparchives.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..013350708 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-ftparchives.html @@ -0,0 +1,567 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - The Debian FTP archives</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-ftparchives"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ 5 ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 5 - The Debian FTP archives +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-dirtree"></a>5.1 What are all those directories at the Debian FTP archives?</h2> + +<p> +The software that has been packaged for Debian GNU/Linux is available in one of +several directory trees on each Debian mirror site. +</p> + +<p> +The <samp>dists</samp> directory is short for "distributions", and it +is the canonical way to access the currently available Debian releases (and +pre-releases). +</p> + +<p> +The <samp>pool</samp> directory contains the actual packages, see <a +href="#s-pools">What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?, Section 5.10</a>. +</p> + +<p> +There are the following supplementary directories: +</p> +<dl> +<dt><em>/tools/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +DOS utilities for creating boot disks, partitioning your disk drive, +compressing/decompressing files, and booting Linux. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>/doc/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +The basic Debian documentation, such as the FAQ, the bug reporting system +instructions, etc. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>/indices/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +The Maintainers file and the override files. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>/project/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +mostly developer-only materials, such as: +</p> +<dl> +<dt><em>project/experimental/</em>:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This directory contains packages and tools which are still being developed, and +are still in the alpha testing stage. Users shouldn't be using packages from +here, because they can be dangerous and harmful even for the most experienced +people. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +</dd> +</dl> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-dists"></a>5.2 How many Debian distributions are there in the <samp>dists</samp> directory?</h2> + +<p> +There are three distributions, the "stable" distribution, the +"testing" distribution, and the "unstable" distribution. +The "testing" distribution is sometimes `frozen' (see <a +href="#s-frozen">What about "testing"? How is it `frozen'?, Section +5.6.1</a>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-codenames"></a>5.3 What are all those names like slink, potato, etc.?</h2> + +<p> +They are just "codenames". When a Debian distribution is in the +development stage, it has no version number but a codename. The purpose of +these codenames is to make easier the mirroring of the Debian distributions (if +a real directory like <samp>unstable</samp> suddenly changed its name to +<samp>stable</samp>, a lot of stuff would have to be needlessly downloaded +again). +</p> + +<p> +Currently, <samp>stable</samp> is a symbolic link to <samp>sarge</samp> (i.e. +Debian GNU/Linux 3.1) and <samp>testing</samp> is a symbolic link to +<samp>etch</samp>. This means that <samp>sarge</samp> is the current stable +distribution and <samp>etch</samp> is the current testing distribution. +</p> + +<p> +<samp>unstable</samp> is a permanent symbolic link to <samp>sid</samp>, as +<samp>sid</samp> is always the unstable distribution (see <a href="#s-sid">What +about "sid"?, Section 5.4</a>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-oldcodenames"></a>5.3.1 Which other codenames have been used in the past?</h3> + +<p> +Other codenames that have been already used are: <samp>buzz</samp> for release +1.1, <samp>rex</samp> for release 1.2, <samp>bo</samp> for releases 1.3.x, +<samp>hamm</samp> for release 2.0, <samp>slink</samp> for release 2.1, +<samp>potato</samp> for release 2.2 and <samp>woody</samp> for release 3.0. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-sourceforcodenames"></a>5.3.2 Where do these codenames come from?</h3> + +<p> +So far they have been characters taken from the movie "Toy Story" by +Pixar. +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>buzz</em> (Buzz Lightyear) was the spaceman, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>rex</em> was the tyrannosaurus, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>bo</em> (Bo Peep) was the girl who took care of the sheep, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>hamm</em> was the piggy bank, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>slink</em> (Slinky Dog (R)) was the toy dog, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>potato</em> was, of course, Mr. Potato (R), +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>woody</em> was the cowboy, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>sarge</em> was the sergeant of the Green Plastic Army Men, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>etch</em> was the toy blackboard (Etch-a-Sketch (R)). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>sid</em> was the boy next door who destroyed toys. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-sid"></a>5.4 What about "sid"?</h2> + +<p> +<em>sid</em> or <em>unstable</em> is the place where most of the packages are +initially uploaded. It will never be released directly, because packages which +are to be released will first have to be included in <em>testing</em>, in order +to be released in <em>stable</em> later on. sid contains packages for both +released and unreleased architectures. +</p> + +<p> +The name "sid" also comes from the "Toy Story" animated +motion picture: Sid was the boy next door who destroyed toys :-) +</p> + +<p> +[<a href="footnotes.en.html#f1" name="fr1">1</a>] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-stable"></a>5.5 What does the stable directory contain?</h2> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +stable/main/: This directory contains the packages which formally constitute +the most recent release of the Debian GNU/Linux system. +</p> + +<p> +These packages all comply with the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines">Debian Free Software +Guidelines</a></code>, and are all freely usable and distributable. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +stable/non-free/: This directory contains packages distribution of which is +restricted in a way that requires that distributors take careful account of the +specified copyright requirements. +</p> + +<p> +For example, some packages have licenses which prohibit commercial +distribution. Others can be redistributed but are in fact shareware and not +freeware. The licenses of each of these packages must be studied, and possibly +negotiated, before the packages are included in any redistribution (e.g., in a +CD-ROM). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +stable/contrib/: This directory contains packages which are DFSG-free and +<em>freely distributable</em> themselves, but somehow depend on a package that +is <em>not</em> freely distributable and thus available only in the non-free +section. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-testing"></a>5.6 What does the testing directory contain?</h2> + +<p> +Packages are installed into the `testing' directory after they have undergone +some degree of testing in <a href="#s-unstable">unstable</a>. +</p> + +<p> +They must be in sync on all architectures where they have been built and +mustn't have dependencies that make them uninstallable; they also have to have +fewer release-critical bugs than the versions currently in testing. This way, +we hope that `testing' is always close to being a release candidate. +</p> + +<p> +More information about the status of "testing" in general and the +individual packages is available at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/devel/testing">http://www.debian.org/devel/testing</a></code> +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-frozen"></a>5.6.1 What about "testing"? How is it `frozen'?</h3> + +<p> +When the "testing" distribution is mature enough, the release manager +starts `freezing' it. The normal propagation delays are increased to ensure +that as little as possible new bugs from "unstable" enter +"testing". +</p> + +<p> +After a while, the "testing" distribution becomes truly `frozen'. +This means that all new packages that are to propagate to the +"testing" are held back, unless they include release-critical bug +fixes. The "testing" distribution can also remain in such a deep +freeze during the so-called `test cycles', when the release is imminent. +</p> + +<p> +We keep a record of bugs in the "testing" distribution that can hold +off a package from being released, or bugs that can hold back the whole +release. For details, please see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/testing/">current testing release +information</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +Once that bug count lowers to maximum acceptable values, the frozen +"testing" distribution is declared "stable" and released +with a version number. +</p> + +<p> +With each new release, the previous "stable" distribution becomes +obsolete and moves to the archive. For more information please see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/distrib/archive">Debian archive</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-unstable"></a>5.7 What does the unstable directory contain?</h2> + +<p> +The `unstable' directory contains a snapshot of the current development system. +Users are welcome to use and test these packages, but are warned about their +state of readiness. The advantage of using the unstable distribution is that +you are always up-to-date with the latest in GNU/Linux software industry, but +if it breaks: you get to keep both parts :-) +</p> + +<p> +There are also main, contrib and non-free subdirectories in `unstable', +separated on the same criteria as in `stable'. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-archsections"></a>5.8 What are all those directories inside <samp>dists/stable/main</samp>?</h2> + +<p> +Within each of the major directory trees[<a href="footnotes.en.html#f2" +name="fr2">2</a>], there are three sets of subdirectories containing index +files. +</p> + +<p> +There's one set of <samp>binary-<var>something</var></samp> subdirectories +which contain index files for binary packages of each available computer +architecture, for example <samp>binary-i386</samp> for packages which execute +on Intel x86 PC machines or <samp>binary-sparc</samp> for packages which +execute on Sun SPARCStations. +</p> + +<p> +The complete list of available architectures for each release is available at +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/releases/">the release's web +page</a></code>. For the current release, please see <a +href="ch-compat.en.html#s-arches">On what hardware architectures/systems does +Debian GNU/Linux run?, Section 3.1</a>. +</p> + +<p> +The index files in binary-* are called Packages(.gz) and they include a summary +of each binary package that is included in that distribution. The actual +binary packages (for <em>woody</em> and subsequent releases) reside in the top +level <a href="#s-pools"><samp>pool</samp> directory</a>. +</p> + +<p> +Furthermore, there's a subdirectory called source/ which contains index files +for source packages included in the distribution. The index file is called +Sources(.gz). +</p> + +<p> +Last but not least, there's a set of subdirectories meant for the installation +system index files. In the <em>woody</em> release, these are named +<samp>disks-<var>architecture</var></samp>; in <em>sarge</em>, they are at +<samp>debian-installer/binary-<var>architecture</var></samp>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-source"></a>5.9 Where is the source code?</h2> + +<p> +Source code is included for everything in the Debian system. Moreover, the +license terms of most programs in the system <em>require</em> that source code +be distributed along with the programs, or that an offer to provide the source +code accompany the programs. +</p> + +<p> +The source code is distributed in the <samp>pool</samp> directory (see <a +href="#s-pools">What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?, Section 5.10</a>) +together with all the architecture-specific binary directories. To retrieve +the source code without having to be familiar with the structure of the FTP +archive, try a command like <samp>apt-get source mypackagename</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Some packages are only distributed as source code due to the restrictions in +their licenses. Notably, one such package is <samp>pine</samp>, see <a +href="ch-software.en.html#s-pine">Where is pine?, Section 4.10</a> for more +information. +</p> + +<p> +Source code may or may not be available for packages in the "contrib" +and "non-free" directories, which are not formally part of the Debian +system. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pools"></a>5.10 What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?</h2> + +<p> +Packages are kept in a large `pool', structured according to the name of the +source package. To make this manageable, the pool is subdivided by section +(`main', `contrib' and `non-free') and by the first letter of the source +package name. These directories contain several files: the binary packages for +each architecture, and the source packages from which the binary packages were +generated. +</p> + +<p> +You can find out where each package is placed by executing a command like +<samp>apt-cache showsrc mypackagename</samp> and looking at the `Directory:' +line. For example, the <samp>apache</samp> packages are stored in +<samp>pool/main/a/apache/</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Additionally, since there are so many <samp>lib*</samp> packages, these are +treated specially: for instance, libpaper packages are stored in +<samp>pool/main/libp/libpaper/</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +[<a href="footnotes.en.html#f3" name="fr3">3</a>] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-incoming"></a>5.11 What is "incoming"?</h2> + +<p> +After a developer uploads a package, it stays for a short while in the +"incoming" directory before it is checked that it's genuine and +allowed into the archive. +</p> + +<p> +Usually nobody should install things from this place. However, in some rare +cases of emergency, the incoming directory is available at <code><a +href="http://incoming.debian.org/">http://incoming.debian.org/</a></code>. You +can manually fetch packages, check the GPG signature and MD5sums in the +.changes and .dsc files, and then install them. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-ownrepository"></a>5.12 How do I set up my own apt-able repository?</h2> + +<p> +If you have built some private Debian packages which you'd like to install +using the standard Debian package management tools, you can set up your own +apt-able package archive. This is also useful if you'd like to share your +Debian packages while these are not distributed by the Debian project. +Instructions on how to do this are given in the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/repository-howto/repository-howto">Debian +Repository HOWTO</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ 5 ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-getting.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-getting.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..5f608d5b0 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-getting.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,374 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Getting and installing Debian GNU/Linux</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-getting"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ 2 ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 2 - Getting and installing Debian GNU/Linux +</h1> + +<hr> + +<p> +The official document giving installation instructions is the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual">Debian GNU/Linux +Installation Guide</a></code>. We'll give some additional notes about getting +and installing Debian GNU/Linux here. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-version"></a>2.1 What is the latest version of Debian?</h2> + +<p> +Currently there are three versions of Debian GNU/Linux: +</p> +<dl> +<dt><em>release 3.1, a.k.a. the `stable' distribution</em></dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is stable and well tested software, it changes if major security or +usability fixes are incorporated. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>the `testing' distribution</em></dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is where packages that will be released as the next `stable' are placed; +they've had some testing in unstable but they may not be completely fit for +release yet. This distribution is updated more often than `stable', but not +more often than `unstable'. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>the `unstable' distribution</em></dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is the version currently under development; it is updated continuously. +You can retrieve packages from the `unstable' archive on any Debian FTP site +and use them to upgrade your system at any time, but you may not expect the +system to be as usable or as stable as before - that's why it's called +`<strong>unstable</strong>'! +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<p> +Please see <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dists">How many Debian +distributions are there in the <samp>dists</samp> directory?, Section 5.2</a> +for more information. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-updatestable"></a>2.2 Are there package upgrades in `stable'?</h2> + +<p> +No new functionality is added to the stable release. Once a Debian version is +released and tagged `stable' it will only get security updates. That is, only +packages for which a security vulnerability has been found after the release +will be upgraded. All the security updates are served through <code><a +href="ftp://security.debian.org">security.debian.org</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +Security updates serve one purpose: to supply a fix for a security +vulnerability. They are not a method for sneaking additional changes into the +stable release without going through normal point release procedure. +Consequently, fixes for packages with security issues will not upgrade the +software. The Debian Security Team will backport the necessary fixes to the +version of the software distributed in `stable' instead. +</p> + +<p> +For more information related to security support please read the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/security/faq">Security FAQ</a></code> or the +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/securing-debian-howto/">Debian +Security Manual</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-boot-floppies"></a>2.3 Where/how can I get the Debian installation disks?</h2> + +<p> +You can get the installation disks by downloading the appropriate files from +one of the <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/mirror/list">Debian +mirrors</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +The installation system files are separated in subdirectories of +<code>dists/stable/main</code> directory, and the names of these subdirectories +correspond to your architecture like this: <samp>disks-<var>arch</var></samp> +(<var>arch</var> is "i386", "sparc", etc, check the site +for an exact list). In each of these architecture subdirectories there can be +several directories, each for a version of the installation system, and the +currently used one is in the `current' directory (that's a symbolic link). +</p> + +<p> +See the <code>README.txt</code> file in that directory for further +instructions. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-cdrom"></a>2.4 How do I install the Debian from CD-ROMs?</h2> + +<p> +Linux supports the ISO 9660 (CD-ROM) file system with Rock Ridge extensions +(formerly known as "High Sierra"). Several <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/CD/vendors/">vendors</a></code> provide Debian +GNU/Linux in this format. +</p> + +<p> +Warning: When installing from CD-ROM, it is usually not a good idea to choose +dselect's <samp>cdrom</samp> access method. This method is usually very slow. +The <samp>mountable</samp> and <samp>apt</samp> methods, for example, are much +better for installing from CD-ROM (see <a +href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-dpkg-mountable">dpkg-mountable, Section 8.2.5</a> +and <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-apt">apt-get, dselect and apt-cdrom, Section +8.2.2</a>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-cdimage-symlinks"></a>2.5 Why does the official stable released CD-ROM contain symlinks for `frozen' and `unstable'? I thought this CD contains just `stable'!</h2> + +<p> +Official Debian CD images indeed contain symlinks like: +</p> + +<pre> + /dists/frozen -> sarge/ + /dists/stable -> sarge/ + /dists/testing -> sarge/ + /dists/unstable -> sarge/ +</pre> + +<p> +so that they work when your sources.list has an entry like +</p> + +<pre> + deb cdrom:[<name as on cd label>]/ unstable main [...] +</pre> + +<p> +. +</p> + +<p> +The fact these symlinks are present does <em>not</em> mean the image is +`unstable' or `testing' or anything. Read the CD label in +<code>/.disk/info</code> to find out which Debian version it contains. This +information is also present in <code>/README.txt</code> on the CD. +</p> + +<p> +Read <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/">http://www.debian.org/releases/</a></code> +to find out what the current `stable' and `testing' releases are. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-cdimages"></a>2.6 I have my own CD-writer, are there CD images available somewhere?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. To make it easier for CD vendors to provide high quality disks, we +provide the <code><a href="http://cdimage.debian.org/">Official CD +images</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-floppy"></a>2.7 Can I install it from a pile of floppy disks?</h2> + +<p> +First of all, a warning: whole Debian GNU/Linux is way too large to be +installed from media as small as a standard 1.44MB floppy disk - you may not +find installing from floppies a very pleasant experience. +</p> + +<p> +Copy the Debian packages onto formatted floppy disks. Either a DOS, the native +Linux "ext2", or the "minix" format will do; one just has +to use a mount command appropriate to the floppy being used. +</p> + +<p> +Using floppy disks has these complications: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Short MS-DOS file names: If you are trying to place Debian package files onto +MS-DOS formatted disks, you will find that their names are generally too long, +and do not conform to the MS-DOS 8.3 filename limitation. To overcome this, +you would have to use VFAT formatted disks, since VFAT supports longer file +names. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Large file sizes: Some packages are larger than 1.44 MBytes, and will not fit +onto a single floppy disk. To solve this problem, use the dpkg-split tool (see +<a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg-split">dpkg-split, Section 7.1.5.2</a>), +available in the <samp>tools</samp> directory on <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/mirror/list">Debian mirrors</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +You must have support in the kernel for floppy disks in order to read and write +to floppy disk; most kernels come with floppy drive support included in them. +</p> + +<p> +To mount a floppy disk under the mount point <samp>/floppy</samp> (a directory +which should have been created during installation), use: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<pre> + mount -t msdos /dev/fd0 /floppy/ +</pre> + +<p> +if the floppy disk is in drive A: and has an MS-DOS file system, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<pre> + mount -t msdos /dev/fd1 /floppy/ +</pre> + +<p> +if the floppy disk is in drive B: and has an MS-DOS file system, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<pre> + mount -t ext2 /dev/fd0 /floppy/ +</pre> + +<p> +if the floppy disk is in drive A: and has an ext2 (i.e., a normal Linux) file +system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-remoteinstall"></a>2.8 Can I get and install Debian directly from a remote Internet site?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. You can boot the Debian installation system from a set of files you can +download from our FTP site and its mirrors. +</p> + +<p> +You can download a small CD image file, create a bootable CD from it, install +the basic system from it and the rest over the network. For more information +please see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/">http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +You can also download even smaller floppy disk image files, create bootable +diskettes from them, start the installation procedure and get the rest of +Debian over the network. For more information, please see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/distrib/floppyinst">http://www.debian.org/distrib/floppyinst</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ 2 ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-getting.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-getting.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..5f608d5b0 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-getting.html @@ -0,0 +1,374 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Getting and installing Debian GNU/Linux</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-getting"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ 2 ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 2 - Getting and installing Debian GNU/Linux +</h1> + +<hr> + +<p> +The official document giving installation instructions is the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual">Debian GNU/Linux +Installation Guide</a></code>. We'll give some additional notes about getting +and installing Debian GNU/Linux here. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-version"></a>2.1 What is the latest version of Debian?</h2> + +<p> +Currently there are three versions of Debian GNU/Linux: +</p> +<dl> +<dt><em>release 3.1, a.k.a. the `stable' distribution</em></dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is stable and well tested software, it changes if major security or +usability fixes are incorporated. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>the `testing' distribution</em></dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is where packages that will be released as the next `stable' are placed; +they've had some testing in unstable but they may not be completely fit for +release yet. This distribution is updated more often than `stable', but not +more often than `unstable'. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt><em>the `unstable' distribution</em></dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is the version currently under development; it is updated continuously. +You can retrieve packages from the `unstable' archive on any Debian FTP site +and use them to upgrade your system at any time, but you may not expect the +system to be as usable or as stable as before - that's why it's called +`<strong>unstable</strong>'! +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<p> +Please see <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dists">How many Debian +distributions are there in the <samp>dists</samp> directory?, Section 5.2</a> +for more information. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-updatestable"></a>2.2 Are there package upgrades in `stable'?</h2> + +<p> +No new functionality is added to the stable release. Once a Debian version is +released and tagged `stable' it will only get security updates. That is, only +packages for which a security vulnerability has been found after the release +will be upgraded. All the security updates are served through <code><a +href="ftp://security.debian.org">security.debian.org</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +Security updates serve one purpose: to supply a fix for a security +vulnerability. They are not a method for sneaking additional changes into the +stable release without going through normal point release procedure. +Consequently, fixes for packages with security issues will not upgrade the +software. The Debian Security Team will backport the necessary fixes to the +version of the software distributed in `stable' instead. +</p> + +<p> +For more information related to security support please read the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/security/faq">Security FAQ</a></code> or the +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/securing-debian-howto/">Debian +Security Manual</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-boot-floppies"></a>2.3 Where/how can I get the Debian installation disks?</h2> + +<p> +You can get the installation disks by downloading the appropriate files from +one of the <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/mirror/list">Debian +mirrors</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +The installation system files are separated in subdirectories of +<code>dists/stable/main</code> directory, and the names of these subdirectories +correspond to your architecture like this: <samp>disks-<var>arch</var></samp> +(<var>arch</var> is "i386", "sparc", etc, check the site +for an exact list). In each of these architecture subdirectories there can be +several directories, each for a version of the installation system, and the +currently used one is in the `current' directory (that's a symbolic link). +</p> + +<p> +See the <code>README.txt</code> file in that directory for further +instructions. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-cdrom"></a>2.4 How do I install the Debian from CD-ROMs?</h2> + +<p> +Linux supports the ISO 9660 (CD-ROM) file system with Rock Ridge extensions +(formerly known as "High Sierra"). Several <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/CD/vendors/">vendors</a></code> provide Debian +GNU/Linux in this format. +</p> + +<p> +Warning: When installing from CD-ROM, it is usually not a good idea to choose +dselect's <samp>cdrom</samp> access method. This method is usually very slow. +The <samp>mountable</samp> and <samp>apt</samp> methods, for example, are much +better for installing from CD-ROM (see <a +href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-dpkg-mountable">dpkg-mountable, Section 8.2.5</a> +and <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-apt">apt-get, dselect and apt-cdrom, Section +8.2.2</a>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-cdimage-symlinks"></a>2.5 Why does the official stable released CD-ROM contain symlinks for `frozen' and `unstable'? I thought this CD contains just `stable'!</h2> + +<p> +Official Debian CD images indeed contain symlinks like: +</p> + +<pre> + /dists/frozen -> sarge/ + /dists/stable -> sarge/ + /dists/testing -> sarge/ + /dists/unstable -> sarge/ +</pre> + +<p> +so that they work when your sources.list has an entry like +</p> + +<pre> + deb cdrom:[<name as on cd label>]/ unstable main [...] +</pre> + +<p> +. +</p> + +<p> +The fact these symlinks are present does <em>not</em> mean the image is +`unstable' or `testing' or anything. Read the CD label in +<code>/.disk/info</code> to find out which Debian version it contains. This +information is also present in <code>/README.txt</code> on the CD. +</p> + +<p> +Read <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/">http://www.debian.org/releases/</a></code> +to find out what the current `stable' and `testing' releases are. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-cdimages"></a>2.6 I have my own CD-writer, are there CD images available somewhere?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. To make it easier for CD vendors to provide high quality disks, we +provide the <code><a href="http://cdimage.debian.org/">Official CD +images</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-floppy"></a>2.7 Can I install it from a pile of floppy disks?</h2> + +<p> +First of all, a warning: whole Debian GNU/Linux is way too large to be +installed from media as small as a standard 1.44MB floppy disk - you may not +find installing from floppies a very pleasant experience. +</p> + +<p> +Copy the Debian packages onto formatted floppy disks. Either a DOS, the native +Linux "ext2", or the "minix" format will do; one just has +to use a mount command appropriate to the floppy being used. +</p> + +<p> +Using floppy disks has these complications: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Short MS-DOS file names: If you are trying to place Debian package files onto +MS-DOS formatted disks, you will find that their names are generally too long, +and do not conform to the MS-DOS 8.3 filename limitation. To overcome this, +you would have to use VFAT formatted disks, since VFAT supports longer file +names. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Large file sizes: Some packages are larger than 1.44 MBytes, and will not fit +onto a single floppy disk. To solve this problem, use the dpkg-split tool (see +<a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg-split">dpkg-split, Section 7.1.5.2</a>), +available in the <samp>tools</samp> directory on <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/mirror/list">Debian mirrors</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +You must have support in the kernel for floppy disks in order to read and write +to floppy disk; most kernels come with floppy drive support included in them. +</p> + +<p> +To mount a floppy disk under the mount point <samp>/floppy</samp> (a directory +which should have been created during installation), use: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<pre> + mount -t msdos /dev/fd0 /floppy/ +</pre> + +<p> +if the floppy disk is in drive A: and has an MS-DOS file system, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<pre> + mount -t msdos /dev/fd1 /floppy/ +</pre> + +<p> +if the floppy disk is in drive B: and has an MS-DOS file system, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<pre> + mount -t ext2 /dev/fd0 /floppy/ +</pre> + +<p> +if the floppy disk is in drive A: and has an ext2 (i.e., a normal Linux) file +system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-remoteinstall"></a>2.8 Can I get and install Debian directly from a remote Internet site?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. You can boot the Debian installation system from a set of files you can +download from our FTP site and its mirrors. +</p> + +<p> +You can download a small CD image file, create a bootable CD from it, install +the basic system from it and the rest over the network. For more information +please see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/">http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +You can also download even smaller floppy disk image files, create bootable +diskettes from them, start the installation procedure and get the rest of +Debian over the network. For more information, please see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/distrib/floppyinst">http://www.debian.org/distrib/floppyinst</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ 2 ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-kernel.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-kernel.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..5e88fad27 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-kernel.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,311 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Debian and the kernel</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-kernel"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ 9 ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 9 - Debian and the kernel +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-non-debian-kernel"></a>9.1 Can I install and compile a kernel without some Debian-specific tweaking?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. +</p> + +<p> +There's only one common catch: the Debian C libraries are built with the most +recent <em>stable</em> releases of the <strong>kernel</strong> headers. If you +happen to need to compile a program with kernel headers newer than the ones +from the stable branch, then you should either upgrade the package containing +the headers (<code>libc6-dev</code>), or use the new headers from an unpacked +tree of the newer kernel. That is, if the kernel sources are in +<code>/usr/src/linux</code>, then you should add +<samp>-I/usr/src/linux/include/</samp> to your command line when compiling. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-customkernel"></a>9.2 What tools does Debian provide to build custom kernels?</h2> + +<p> +Users who wish to (or must) build a custom kernel are encouraged to download +the package <code>kernel-package</code>. This package contains the script to +build the kernel package, and provides the capability to create a Debian +kernel-image package just by running the command +</p> + +<pre> + make-kpkg kernel_image +</pre> + +<p> +in the top-level kernel source directory. Help is available by executing the +command +</p> + +<pre> + make-kpkg --help +</pre> + +<p> +and through the manual page <code>make-kpkg(1)</code>. +</p> + +<p> +Users must separately download the source code for the most recent kernel (or +the kernel of their choice) from their favorite Linux archive site, unless a +kernel-source-version package is available (where "version" stands +for the kernel version). +</p> + +<p> +Detailed instructions for using the <code>kernel-package</code> package are +given in the file <code>/usr/share/doc/kernel-package/README.gz</code>. +Briefly, one should: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Unpack the kernel sources, and <samp>cd</samp> to the newly created directory. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Modify the kernel configuration using one of these commands: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>make config</samp> (for a tty one-line-at-a-time-interface). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>make menuconfig</samp> (for an ncurses-based menu driven interface). +Note that to use this option, the <code>libncurses5-dev</code> package must be +installed. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>make xconfig</samp> (for an X11 interface). Using this option requires +that relevant X and Tcl/Tk packages be installed. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Any of the above steps generates a new <samp>.config</samp> in the top-level +kernel source directory. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Execute the command: <samp>make-kpkg -rev Custom.N kernel_image</samp>, where N +is a revision number assigned by the user. The new Debian archive thus formed +would have revision Custom.1, e.g., +<samp>kernel-image-2.2.14_Custom.1_i386.deb</samp> for the Linux kernel 2.2.14 +on i386. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Install the package created. +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>Run dpkg --install /usr/src/kernel-image-VVV_Custom.N.deb</samp> to +install the kernel itself. The installation script will: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +run the boot loader (grub, LILO or some other) if needed, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +install the custom kernel in /boot/vmlinuz_VVV-Custom.N, and set up appropriate +symbolic links to the most recent kernel version. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +prompt the user to make a boot floppy. This boot floppy will contain the raw +kernel only. See <a href="#s-custombootdisk">How can I make a custom boot +floppy?, Section 9.3</a>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To employ secondary boot loaders such as <samp>loadlin</samp>, copy this image +to other locations (e.g. to an <samp>MS-DOS</samp> partition). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-custombootdisk"></a>9.3 How can I make a custom boot floppy?</h2> + +<p> +This task is greatly aided by the Debian package <code>boot-floppies</code>, +normally found in the <samp>admin</samp> section of the Debian FTP archive. +Shell scripts in this package produce boot floppies in the +<samp>SYSLINUX</samp> format. These are <samp>MS-DOS</samp> formatted floppies +whose master boot records have been altered so that they boot Linux directly +(or whatever other operating system has been defined in the syslinux.cfg file +on the floppy). Other scripts in this package produce emergency root disks and +can even reproduce the base disks. +</p> + +<p> +You will find more information about this in the +<samp>/usr/share/doc/boot-floppies/README</samp> file after installing the +<code>boot-floppies</code> package. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-modules"></a>9.4 What special provisions does Debian provide to deal with modules?</h2> + +<p> +Debian's <code>modconf</code> package provides a shell script +(<samp>/usr/sbin/modconf</samp>) which can be used to customize the +configuration of modules. This script presents a menu-based interface, +prompting the user for particulars on the loadable device drivers in his +system. The responses are used to customize the file +<samp>/etc/modules.conf</samp> (which lists aliases, and other arguments that +must be used in conjunction with various modules) through files in +<samp>/etc/modutils/</samp>, and <samp>/etc/modules</samp> (which lists the +modules that must be loaded at boot time). +</p> + +<p> +Like the (new) Configure.help files that are now available to support the +construction of custom kernels, the modconf package comes with a series of help +files (in <samp>/usr/lib/modules_help/</samp>) which provide detailed +information on appropriate arguments for each of the modules. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-removeoldkernel"></a>9.5 Can I safely de-install an old kernel package, and if so, how?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. The <samp>kernel-image-NNN.prerm</samp> script checks to see whether the +kernel you are currently running is the same as the kernel you are trying to +de-install. Therefore you can remove unwanted kernel image packages using this +command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --purge --force-remove-essential kernel-image-NNN +</pre> + +<p> +(replace "NNN" with your kernel version and revision number, of +course) +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ 9 ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-kernel.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-kernel.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..5e88fad27 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-kernel.html @@ -0,0 +1,311 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Debian and the kernel</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-kernel"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ 9 ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 9 - Debian and the kernel +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-non-debian-kernel"></a>9.1 Can I install and compile a kernel without some Debian-specific tweaking?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. +</p> + +<p> +There's only one common catch: the Debian C libraries are built with the most +recent <em>stable</em> releases of the <strong>kernel</strong> headers. If you +happen to need to compile a program with kernel headers newer than the ones +from the stable branch, then you should either upgrade the package containing +the headers (<code>libc6-dev</code>), or use the new headers from an unpacked +tree of the newer kernel. That is, if the kernel sources are in +<code>/usr/src/linux</code>, then you should add +<samp>-I/usr/src/linux/include/</samp> to your command line when compiling. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-customkernel"></a>9.2 What tools does Debian provide to build custom kernels?</h2> + +<p> +Users who wish to (or must) build a custom kernel are encouraged to download +the package <code>kernel-package</code>. This package contains the script to +build the kernel package, and provides the capability to create a Debian +kernel-image package just by running the command +</p> + +<pre> + make-kpkg kernel_image +</pre> + +<p> +in the top-level kernel source directory. Help is available by executing the +command +</p> + +<pre> + make-kpkg --help +</pre> + +<p> +and through the manual page <code>make-kpkg(1)</code>. +</p> + +<p> +Users must separately download the source code for the most recent kernel (or +the kernel of their choice) from their favorite Linux archive site, unless a +kernel-source-version package is available (where "version" stands +for the kernel version). +</p> + +<p> +Detailed instructions for using the <code>kernel-package</code> package are +given in the file <code>/usr/share/doc/kernel-package/README.gz</code>. +Briefly, one should: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Unpack the kernel sources, and <samp>cd</samp> to the newly created directory. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Modify the kernel configuration using one of these commands: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>make config</samp> (for a tty one-line-at-a-time-interface). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>make menuconfig</samp> (for an ncurses-based menu driven interface). +Note that to use this option, the <code>libncurses5-dev</code> package must be +installed. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>make xconfig</samp> (for an X11 interface). Using this option requires +that relevant X and Tcl/Tk packages be installed. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Any of the above steps generates a new <samp>.config</samp> in the top-level +kernel source directory. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Execute the command: <samp>make-kpkg -rev Custom.N kernel_image</samp>, where N +is a revision number assigned by the user. The new Debian archive thus formed +would have revision Custom.1, e.g., +<samp>kernel-image-2.2.14_Custom.1_i386.deb</samp> for the Linux kernel 2.2.14 +on i386. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Install the package created. +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>Run dpkg --install /usr/src/kernel-image-VVV_Custom.N.deb</samp> to +install the kernel itself. The installation script will: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +run the boot loader (grub, LILO or some other) if needed, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +install the custom kernel in /boot/vmlinuz_VVV-Custom.N, and set up appropriate +symbolic links to the most recent kernel version. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +prompt the user to make a boot floppy. This boot floppy will contain the raw +kernel only. See <a href="#s-custombootdisk">How can I make a custom boot +floppy?, Section 9.3</a>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To employ secondary boot loaders such as <samp>loadlin</samp>, copy this image +to other locations (e.g. to an <samp>MS-DOS</samp> partition). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-custombootdisk"></a>9.3 How can I make a custom boot floppy?</h2> + +<p> +This task is greatly aided by the Debian package <code>boot-floppies</code>, +normally found in the <samp>admin</samp> section of the Debian FTP archive. +Shell scripts in this package produce boot floppies in the +<samp>SYSLINUX</samp> format. These are <samp>MS-DOS</samp> formatted floppies +whose master boot records have been altered so that they boot Linux directly +(or whatever other operating system has been defined in the syslinux.cfg file +on the floppy). Other scripts in this package produce emergency root disks and +can even reproduce the base disks. +</p> + +<p> +You will find more information about this in the +<samp>/usr/share/doc/boot-floppies/README</samp> file after installing the +<code>boot-floppies</code> package. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-modules"></a>9.4 What special provisions does Debian provide to deal with modules?</h2> + +<p> +Debian's <code>modconf</code> package provides a shell script +(<samp>/usr/sbin/modconf</samp>) which can be used to customize the +configuration of modules. This script presents a menu-based interface, +prompting the user for particulars on the loadable device drivers in his +system. The responses are used to customize the file +<samp>/etc/modules.conf</samp> (which lists aliases, and other arguments that +must be used in conjunction with various modules) through files in +<samp>/etc/modutils/</samp>, and <samp>/etc/modules</samp> (which lists the +modules that must be loaded at boot time). +</p> + +<p> +Like the (new) Configure.help files that are now available to support the +construction of custom kernels, the modconf package comes with a series of help +files (in <samp>/usr/lib/modules_help/</samp>) which provide detailed +information on appropriate arguments for each of the modules. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-removeoldkernel"></a>9.5 Can I safely de-install an old kernel package, and if so, how?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. The <samp>kernel-image-NNN.prerm</samp> script checks to see whether the +kernel you are currently running is the same as the kernel you are trying to +de-install. Therefore you can remove unwanted kernel image packages using this +command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --purge --force-remove-essential kernel-image-NNN +</pre> + +<p> +(replace "NNN" with your kernel version and revision number, of +course) +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ 9 ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-nexttime.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-nexttime.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..0c1d3eca4 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-nexttime.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,149 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Changes expected in the next major release of Debian</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-nexttime"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ 14 ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 14 - Changes expected in the next major release of Debian +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-security"></a>14.1 Increased security</h2> + +<p> +Debian contains support for shadow passwords since release 1.3. In addition, +the Linux library of Pluggable Authentication Modules (a.k.a. <code><a +href="http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/libs/pam/">libpam</a></code>;) that +allows sysadmins to choose authorization modes on an application-specific basis +is available, and initially set to authenticate via shadow password. +</p> + +<p> +Including full support for advanced authentication methods such as Kerberos, as +well as additional security enhancements for mandatory access control +mechanisms such as SElinux, RSBAC and buffer overflow protection like +Exec-shield or PaX is still in progress. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-i18n"></a>14.2 Extended support for non-English users</h2> + +<p> +Debian already has very good support for non-English users, see <a +href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonenglish">How does Debian support non-English +languages?, Section 4.8</a>. +</p> + +<p> +We hope to find people who will provide support for even more languages, and +translate. Some programs already support internationalization, so we need +message catalogs translators. Many programs still remain to be properly +internationalized. +</p> + +<p> +The GNU Translation Project <code><a +href="ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/ABOUT-NLS">ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/ABOUT-NLS</a></code> +works on internationalizing the GNU programs. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-morearches"></a>14.3 More architectures</h2> + +<p> +Complete Debian system on other architectures such as AMD64 or SuperH is +expected soon. Notice that, for AMD64 there is a development archive at +<code><a href="http://amd64.debian.net/">http://amd64.debian.net/</a></code> +that provides intallation images as well as binary packages for most of the +distribution. This architecture will probably be added for <samp>etch</samp>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-morekernels"></a>14.4 More kernels</h2> + +<p> +In addition to Debian GNU/Hurd, Debian is being ported also to BSD kernels, +namely to <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/ports/netbsd">NetBSD</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ 14 ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-nexttime.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-nexttime.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..0c1d3eca4 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-nexttime.html @@ -0,0 +1,149 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Changes expected in the next major release of Debian</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-nexttime"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ 14 ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 14 - Changes expected in the next major release of Debian +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-security"></a>14.1 Increased security</h2> + +<p> +Debian contains support for shadow passwords since release 1.3. In addition, +the Linux library of Pluggable Authentication Modules (a.k.a. <code><a +href="http://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/libs/pam/">libpam</a></code>;) that +allows sysadmins to choose authorization modes on an application-specific basis +is available, and initially set to authenticate via shadow password. +</p> + +<p> +Including full support for advanced authentication methods such as Kerberos, as +well as additional security enhancements for mandatory access control +mechanisms such as SElinux, RSBAC and buffer overflow protection like +Exec-shield or PaX is still in progress. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-i18n"></a>14.2 Extended support for non-English users</h2> + +<p> +Debian already has very good support for non-English users, see <a +href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonenglish">How does Debian support non-English +languages?, Section 4.8</a>. +</p> + +<p> +We hope to find people who will provide support for even more languages, and +translate. Some programs already support internationalization, so we need +message catalogs translators. Many programs still remain to be properly +internationalized. +</p> + +<p> +The GNU Translation Project <code><a +href="ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/ABOUT-NLS">ftp://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/ABOUT-NLS</a></code> +works on internationalizing the GNU programs. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-morearches"></a>14.3 More architectures</h2> + +<p> +Complete Debian system on other architectures such as AMD64 or SuperH is +expected soon. Notice that, for AMD64 there is a development archive at +<code><a href="http://amd64.debian.net/">http://amd64.debian.net/</a></code> +that provides intallation images as well as binary packages for most of the +distribution. This architecture will probably be added for <samp>etch</samp>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-morekernels"></a>14.4 More kernels</h2> + +<p> +In addition to Debian GNU/Hurd, Debian is being ported also to BSD kernels, +namely to <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/ports/netbsd">NetBSD</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ 14 ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkg_basics.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkg_basics.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..0ebd3feb3 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkg_basics.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,860 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Basics of the Debian package management system</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-pkg_basics"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ 6 ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 6 - Basics of the Debian package management system +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-package"></a>6.1 What is a Debian package?</h2> + +<p> +Packages generally contain all of the files necessary to implement a set of +related commands or features. There are two types of Debian packages: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>Binary packages</em>, which contain executables, configuration files, +man/info pages, copyright information, and other documentation. These packages +are distributed in a Debian-specific archive format (see <a +href="#s-deb-format">What is the format of a Debian binary package?, Section +6.2</a>); they are usually distinguished by having a '.deb' file extension. +Binary packages can be unpacked using the Debian utility <samp>dpkg</samp>; +details are given in its manual page. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>Source packages</em>, which consist of a <samp>.dsc</samp> file describing +the source package (including the names of the following files), a +<samp>.orig.tar.gz</samp> file that contains the original unmodified source in +gzip-compressed tar format and usually a <samp>.diff.gz</samp> file that +contains the Debian-specific changes to the original source. The utility +<samp>dpkg-source</samp> packs and unpacks Debian source archives; details are +provided in its manual page. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Installation of software by the package system uses "dependencies" +which are carefully designed by the package maintainers. These dependencies +are documented in the <samp>control</samp> file associated with each package. +For example, the package containing the GNU C compiler (<code>gcc</code>) +"depends" on the package <code>binutils</code> which includes the +linker and assembler. If a user attempts to install <code>gcc</code> without +having first installed <code>binutils</code>, the package management system +(dpkg) will send an error message that it also needs <code>binutils</code>, and +stop installing <code>gcc</code>. (However, this facility can be overridden by +the insistent user, see <code>dpkg(8)</code>.) See more in <a +href="#s-depends">What is meant by saying that a package <em>Depends</em>, +<em>Recommends</em>, <em>Suggests</em>, <em>Conflicts</em>, <em>Replaces</em> +or <em>Provides</em> another package?, Section 6.9</a> below. +</p> + +<p> +Debian's packaging tools can be used to: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +manipulate and manage packages or parts of packages, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +aid the user in the break-up of packages that must be transmitted through a +limited-size medium such as floppy disks, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +aid developers in the construction of package archives, and +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +aid users in the installation of packages which reside on a remote FTP site. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-deb-format"></a>6.2 What is the format of a Debian binary package?</h2> + +<p> +A Debian "package", or a Debian archive file, contains the executable +files, libraries, and documentation associated with a particular suite of +program or set of related programs. Normally, a Debian archive file has a +filename that ends in <samp>.deb</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +The internals of this Debian binary packages format are described in the +<code>deb(5)</code> manual page. This internal format is subject to change +(between major releases of Debian GNU/Linux), therefore please always use +<code>dpkg-deb(1)</code> for manipulating <samp>.deb</samp> files. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pkgname"></a>6.3 Why are Debian package file names so long?</h2> + +<p> +The Debian binary package file names conform to the following convention: +<foo>_<VersionNumber>-<DebianRevisionNumber>.deb +</p> + +<p> +Note that <samp>foo</samp> is supposed to be the package name. As a check, one +can learn the package name associated with a particular Debian archive file +(.deb file) in one of these ways: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +inspect the "Packages" file in the directory where it was stored at a +Debian FTP archive site. This file contains a stanza describing each package; +the first field in each stanza is the formal package name. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +use the command <samp>dpkg --info foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp> (where VVV and RRR are +the version and revision of the package in question, respectively). This +displays, among other things, the package name corresponding to the archive +file being unpacked. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The <samp>VVV</samp> component is the version number specified by the upstream +developer. There are no standards in place here, so the version number may +have formats as different as "19990513" and "1.3.8pre1". +</p> + +<p> +The <samp>RRR</samp> component is the Debian revision number, and is specified +by the Debian developer (or an individual user if he chooses to build the +package himself). This number corresponds to the revision level of the Debian +package, thus, a new revision level usually signifies changes in the Debian +Makefile (<samp>debian/rules</samp>), the Debian control file +(<samp>debian/control</samp>), the installation or removal scripts +(<samp>debian/p*</samp>), or in the configuration files used with the package. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-controlfile"></a>6.4 What is a Debian control file?</h2> + +<p> +Specifics regarding the contents of a Debian control file are provided in the +Debian Policy Manual, section 5, see <a +href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">What other documentation exists on and +for a Debian system?, Section 11.1</a>. +</p> + +<p> +Briefly, a sample control file is shown below for the Debian package hello: +</p> + +<pre> + Package: hello + Priority: optional + Section: devel + Installed-Size: 45 + Maintainer: Adam Heath <doogie@debian.org> + Architecture: i386 + Version: 1.3-16 + Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1) + Description: The classic greeting, and a good example + The GNU hello program produces a familiar, friendly greeting. It + allows nonprogrammers to use a classic computer science tool which + would otherwise be unavailable to them. + . + Seriously, though: this is an example of how to do a Debian package. + It is the Debian version of the GNU Project's `hello world' program + (which is itself an example for the GNU Project). +</pre> + +<p> +The Package field gives the package name. This is the name by which the +package can be manipulated by the package tools, and usually similar to but not +necessarily the same as the first component string in the Debian archive file +name. +</p> + +<p> +The Version field gives both the upstream developer's version number and (in +the last component) the revision level of the Debian package of this program as +explained in <a href="#s-pkgname">Why are Debian package file names so long?, +Section 6.3</a>. +</p> + +<p> +The Architecture field specifies the chip for which this particular binary was +compiled. +</p> + +<p> +The Depends field gives a list of packages that have to be installed in order +to install this package successfully. +</p> + +<p> +The Installed-Size indicates how much disk space the installed package will +consume. This is intended to be used by installation front-ends in order to +show whether there is enough disk space available to install the program. +</p> + +<p> +The Section line gives the "section" where this Debian package is +stored at the Debian FTP sites. This is the name of a subdirectory (within one +of the main directories, see <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dirtree">What +are all those directories at the Debian FTP archives?, Section 5.1</a>) where +the package is stored. +</p> + +<p> +The Priority indicates how important is this package for installation, so that +semi-intelligent software like dselect or console-apt can sort the package into +a category of e.g. packages optionally installed. See <a +href="#s-priority">What is an <em>Essential</em> <em>Required</em>, +<em>Important</em>, <em>Standard</em>, <em>Optional</em>, or <em>Extra</em> +package?, Section 6.7</a>. +</p> + +<p> +The Maintainer field gives the e-mail address of the person who is currently +responsible for maintaining this package. +</p> + +<p> +The Description field gives a brief summary of the package's features. +</p> + +<p> +For more information about all possible fields a package can have, please see +the Debian Policy Manual, section 5., "Control files and their +fields". +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-conffile"></a>6.5 What is a Debian conffile?</h2> + +<p> +Conffiles is a list of configuration files (usually placed in +<samp>/etc</samp>) that the package management system will not overwrite when +the package is upgraded. This ensures that local values for the contents of +these files will be preserved, and is a critical feature enabling the in-place +upgrade of packages on a running system. +</p> + +<p> +To determine exactly which files are preserved during an upgrade, run: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --status package +</pre> + +<p> +And look under "Conffiles:". +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-maintscripts"></a>6.6 What is a Debian preinst, postinst, prerm, and postrm script?</h2> + +<p> +These files are executable scripts which are automatically run before or after +a package is installed. Along with a file named <samp>control</samp>, all of +these files are part of the "control" section of a Debian archive +file. +</p> + +<p> +The individual files are: +</p> +<dl> +<dt>preinst</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This script executes before that package will be unpacked from its Debian +archive (".deb") file. Many 'preinst' scripts stop services for +packages which are being upgraded until their installation or upgrade is +completed (following the successful execution of the 'postinst' script). +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>postinst</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This script typically completes any required configuration of the package +<samp>foo</samp> once <samp>foo</samp> has been unpacked from its Debian +archive (".deb") file. Often, 'postinst' scripts ask the user for +input, and/or warn the user that if he accepts default values, he should +remember to go back and re-configure that package as the situation warrants. +Many 'postinst' scripts then execute any commands necessary to start or restart +a service once a new package has been installed or upgraded. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>prerm</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This script typically stops any daemons which are associated with a package. +It is executed before the removal of files associated with the package. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>postrm</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This script typically modifies links or other files associated with +<samp>foo</samp>, and/or removes files created by the package. (Also see <a +href="#s-virtual">What is a Virtual Package?, Section 6.8</a>.) +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<p> +Currently all of the control files can be found in directory +<samp>/var/lib/dpkg/info</samp>. The files relevant to package +<samp>foo</samp> begin with the name "foo" and have file extensions +of "preinst", "postinst", etc., as appropriate. The file +<samp>foo.list</samp> in that directory lists all of the files that were +installed with the package <samp>foo</samp>. (Note that the location of these +files is a dpkg internal; you should not rely on it.) +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-priority"></a>6.7 What is an <em>Essential</em> <em>Required</em>, <em>Important</em>, <em>Standard</em>, <em>Optional</em>, or <em>Extra</em> package?</h2> + +<p> +Each Debian package is assigned a <em>priority</em> by the distribution +maintainers, as an aid to the package management system. The priorities are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Required</strong>: packages that are necessary for the proper +functioning of the system. +</p> + +<p> +This includes all tools that are necessary to repair system defects. You must +not remove these packages or your system may become totally broken and you may +probably not even be able to use dpkg to put things back. Systems with only +the Required packages are probably unusable, but they do have enough +functionality to allow the sysadmin to boot and install more software. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Important</strong> packages should be found on any Unix-like system. +</p> + +<p> +Other packages which the system will not run well or be usable without will be +here. This does <em>NOT</em> include Emacs or X11 or TeX or any other large +applications. These packages only constitute the bare infrastructure. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Standard</strong> packages are standard on any Linux system, including +a reasonably small but not too limited character-mode system. +</p> + +<p> +This is what will install by default if users do not select anything else. It +does not include many large applications, but it does include some development +software like the GNU C and C++ compilers (<samp>gcc</samp>, <samp>g++</samp>), +GNU make, as well as the Python interpreter and some server software like +OpenSSH, the BSD printer daemon (<samp>lpr</samp>) and the RPC portmapper +(<samp>portmap</samp>). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Optional</strong> packages include all those that you might reasonably +want to install if you did not know what it was, or do not have specialized +requirements. +</p> + +<p> +This includes X11, a full TeX distribution, and lots of applications. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Extra</strong>: packages that either conflict with others with higher +priorities, are only likely to be useful if you already know what they are, or +have specialized requirements that make them unsuitable for +"Optional". +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +If you do a default Debian installation all the packages of priority +<strong>Standard</strong> or higher will be installed in your system. If you +select pre-defined tasks you will get lower priority packages too. +</p> + +<p> +Additionally, some packages are marked as <strong>Essential</strong> since they +are absolutely necessary for the proper functioning of the system. The package +management tools will refuse to remove these. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-virtual"></a>6.8 What is a Virtual Package?</h2> + +<p> +A virtual package is a generic name that applies to any one of a group of +packages, all of which provide similar basic functionality. For example, both +the <samp>tin</samp> and <samp>trn</samp> programs are news readers, and should +therefore satisfy any dependency of a program that required a news reader on a +system, in order to work or to be useful. They are therefore both said to +provide the "virtual package" called <samp>news-reader</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Similarly, <samp>smail</samp> and <samp>sendmail</samp> both provide the +functionality of a mail transport agent. They are therefore said to provide +the virtual package, "mail transport agent". If either one is +installed, then any program depending on the installation of a +<samp>mail-transport-agent</samp> will be satisfied by the existence of this +virtual package. +</p> + +<p> +Debian provides a mechanism so that, if more than one package which provide the +same virtual package is installed on a system, then system administrators can +set one as the preferred package. The relevant command is +<samp>update-alternatives</samp>, and is described further in <a +href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-diverse">Some users like mawk, others like gawk; +some like vim, others like elvis; some like trn, others like tin; how does +Debian support diversity?, Section 10.10</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-depends"></a>6.9 What is meant by saying that a package <em>Depends</em>, <em>Recommends</em>, <em>Suggests</em>, <em>Conflicts</em>, <em>Replaces</em> or <em>Provides</em> another package?</h2> + +<p> +The Debian package system has a range of package "dependencies" which +are designed to indicate (in a single flag) the level at which Program A can +operate independently of the existence of Program B on a given system: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>depends</em> on Package B if B absolutely must be installed in +order to run A. In some cases, A depends not only on B, but on a version of B. +In this case, the version dependency is usually a lower limit, in the sense +that A depends on any version of B more recent than some specified version. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>recommends</em> Package B, if the package maintainer judges that +most users would not want A without also having the functionality provided by +B. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>suggests</em> Package B if B contains files that are related to +(and usually enhance) the functionality of A. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>conflicts</em> with Package B when A will not operate if B is +installed on the system. Most often, conflicts are cases where A contains +files which are an improvement over those in B. "Conflicts" are +often combined with "replaces". +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>replaces</em> Package B when files installed by B are removed and +(in some cases) over-written by files in A. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>provides</em> Package B when all of the files and functionality +of B are incorporated into A. This mechanism provides a way for users with +constrained disk space to get only that part of package A which they really +need. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +More detailed information on the use of each these terms can be found in the +Policy manual. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pre-depends"></a>6.10 What is meant by Pre-Depends?</h2> + +<p> +"Pre-Depends" is a special dependency. In the case of most packages, +<samp>dpkg</samp> will unpack its archive file (i.e., its <samp>.deb</samp> +file) independently of whether or not the files on which it depends exist on +the system. Simplistically, unpacking means that <samp>dpkg</samp> will +extract the files from the archive file that were meant to be installed on your +file system, and put them in place. If those packages <em>depend</em> on the +existence of some other packages on your system, <samp>dpkg</samp> will refuse +to complete the installation (by executing its "configure" action) +until the other packages are installed. +</p> + +<p> +However, for some packages, <samp>dpkg</samp> will refuse even to unpack them +until certain dependencies are resolved. Such packages are said to +"Pre-depend" on the presence of some other packages. The Debian +project provided this mechanism to support the safe upgrading of systems from +<samp>a.out</samp> format to <samp>ELF</samp> format, where the <em>order</em> +in which packages were unpacked was critical. There are other large upgrade +situations where this method is useful, e.g. the packages with the required +priority and their LibC dependency. +</p> + +<p> +As before, more detailed information about this can be found in the Policy +manual. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pkgstatus"></a>6.11 What is meant by <em>unknown</em>, <em>install</em>, <em>remove</em> <em>purge</em> and <em>hold</em> in the package status?</h2> + +<p> +These "want" flags tell what the user wanted to do with a package (as +indicated either by the user's actions in the "Select" section of +<samp>dselect</samp>, or by the user's direct invocations of +<samp>dpkg</samp>). +</p> + +<p> +Their meanings are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +unknown - the user has never indicated whether he wants the package +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +install - the user wants the package installed or upgraded +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +remove - the user wants the package removed, but does not want to remove any +existing configuration files. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +purge - the user wants the package to be removed completely, including its +configuration files. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +hold - the user wants this package not to be processed, i.e., he wants to keep +the current version with the current status whatever that is. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-puttingonhold"></a>6.12 How do I put a package on hold?</h2> + +<p> +There are three ways of holding back packages, with dpkg, aptitude or with +dselect. +</p> + +<p> +With dpkg, you just have to export the list of package selections, with: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --get-selections \* > selections.txt +</pre> + +<p> +Then edit the resulting file <code>selections.txt</code>, change the line +containing the package you wish to hold, e.g. <code>libc6</code>, from this: +</p> + +<pre> + libc6 install +</pre> + +<p> +to this: +</p> + +<pre> + libc6 hold +</pre> + +<p> +Save the file, and reload it into dpkg database with: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --set-selections < selections.txt +</pre> + +<p> +With aptitude, you can hold a package using +</p> + +<pre> + aptitude hold package_name +</pre> + +<p> +and remove the hold with +</p> + +<pre> + aptitude unhold package_name +</pre> + +<p> +With dselect, you just have to enter the [S]elect screen, find the package you +wish to hold in its present state, and press the `=' key (or `H'). The changes +will go live immediately after you exit the [S]elect screen. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-sourcepkgs"></a>6.13 How do I install a source package?</h2> + +<p> +Debian source packages can't actually be "installed", they are just +unpacked in whatever directory you want to build the binary packages they +produce. +</p> + +<p> +Source packages are distributed on most of the same mirrors where you can +obtain the binary packages. If you set up your APT's +<code>sources.list(5)</code> to include the appropriate "deb-src" +lines, you'll be able to easily download any source packages by running +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get source foo +</pre> + +<p> +To help you in actually building the source package, Debian source package +provide the so-called build-dependencies mechanism. This means that the source +package maintainer keeps a list of other packages that are required to build +their package. To see how this is useful, run +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get build-dep foo +</pre> + +<p> +before building the source. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-sourcebuild"></a>6.14 How do I build binary packages from a source package?</h2> + +<p> +You will need all of foo_*.dsc, foo_*.tar.gz and foo_*.diff.gz to compile the +source (note: there is no .diff.gz for some packages that are native to +Debian). +</p> + +<p> +Once you have them (<a href="#s-sourcepkgs">How do I install a source package?, +Section 6.13</a>), if you have the <code>dpkg-dev</code> package installed, the +following command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg-source -x foo_version-revision.dsc +</pre> + +<p> +will extract the package into a directory called <samp>foo-version</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +If you want just to compile the package, you may cd into +<samp>foo-version</samp> directory and issue the command +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg-buildpackage -rfakeroot -b +</pre> + +<p> +to build the package (note that this also requires the <code>fakeroot</code> +package), and then +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg -i ../foo_version-revision_arch.deb +</pre> + +<p> +to install the newly-built package(s). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-creatingdebs"></a>6.15 How do I create Debian packages myself?</h2> + +<p> +For more detailed description on this, read the New Maintainers' Guide, +available in the <code>maint-guide</code> package, or at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/devel-manuals#maint-guide">http://www.debian.org/doc/devel-manuals#maint-guide</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ 6 ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkg_basics.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkg_basics.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..0ebd3feb3 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkg_basics.html @@ -0,0 +1,860 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Basics of the Debian package management system</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-pkg_basics"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ 6 ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 6 - Basics of the Debian package management system +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-package"></a>6.1 What is a Debian package?</h2> + +<p> +Packages generally contain all of the files necessary to implement a set of +related commands or features. There are two types of Debian packages: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>Binary packages</em>, which contain executables, configuration files, +man/info pages, copyright information, and other documentation. These packages +are distributed in a Debian-specific archive format (see <a +href="#s-deb-format">What is the format of a Debian binary package?, Section +6.2</a>); they are usually distinguished by having a '.deb' file extension. +Binary packages can be unpacked using the Debian utility <samp>dpkg</samp>; +details are given in its manual page. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<em>Source packages</em>, which consist of a <samp>.dsc</samp> file describing +the source package (including the names of the following files), a +<samp>.orig.tar.gz</samp> file that contains the original unmodified source in +gzip-compressed tar format and usually a <samp>.diff.gz</samp> file that +contains the Debian-specific changes to the original source. The utility +<samp>dpkg-source</samp> packs and unpacks Debian source archives; details are +provided in its manual page. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Installation of software by the package system uses "dependencies" +which are carefully designed by the package maintainers. These dependencies +are documented in the <samp>control</samp> file associated with each package. +For example, the package containing the GNU C compiler (<code>gcc</code>) +"depends" on the package <code>binutils</code> which includes the +linker and assembler. If a user attempts to install <code>gcc</code> without +having first installed <code>binutils</code>, the package management system +(dpkg) will send an error message that it also needs <code>binutils</code>, and +stop installing <code>gcc</code>. (However, this facility can be overridden by +the insistent user, see <code>dpkg(8)</code>.) See more in <a +href="#s-depends">What is meant by saying that a package <em>Depends</em>, +<em>Recommends</em>, <em>Suggests</em>, <em>Conflicts</em>, <em>Replaces</em> +or <em>Provides</em> another package?, Section 6.9</a> below. +</p> + +<p> +Debian's packaging tools can be used to: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +manipulate and manage packages or parts of packages, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +aid the user in the break-up of packages that must be transmitted through a +limited-size medium such as floppy disks, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +aid developers in the construction of package archives, and +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +aid users in the installation of packages which reside on a remote FTP site. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-deb-format"></a>6.2 What is the format of a Debian binary package?</h2> + +<p> +A Debian "package", or a Debian archive file, contains the executable +files, libraries, and documentation associated with a particular suite of +program or set of related programs. Normally, a Debian archive file has a +filename that ends in <samp>.deb</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +The internals of this Debian binary packages format are described in the +<code>deb(5)</code> manual page. This internal format is subject to change +(between major releases of Debian GNU/Linux), therefore please always use +<code>dpkg-deb(1)</code> for manipulating <samp>.deb</samp> files. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pkgname"></a>6.3 Why are Debian package file names so long?</h2> + +<p> +The Debian binary package file names conform to the following convention: +<foo>_<VersionNumber>-<DebianRevisionNumber>.deb +</p> + +<p> +Note that <samp>foo</samp> is supposed to be the package name. As a check, one +can learn the package name associated with a particular Debian archive file +(.deb file) in one of these ways: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +inspect the "Packages" file in the directory where it was stored at a +Debian FTP archive site. This file contains a stanza describing each package; +the first field in each stanza is the formal package name. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +use the command <samp>dpkg --info foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp> (where VVV and RRR are +the version and revision of the package in question, respectively). This +displays, among other things, the package name corresponding to the archive +file being unpacked. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +The <samp>VVV</samp> component is the version number specified by the upstream +developer. There are no standards in place here, so the version number may +have formats as different as "19990513" and "1.3.8pre1". +</p> + +<p> +The <samp>RRR</samp> component is the Debian revision number, and is specified +by the Debian developer (or an individual user if he chooses to build the +package himself). This number corresponds to the revision level of the Debian +package, thus, a new revision level usually signifies changes in the Debian +Makefile (<samp>debian/rules</samp>), the Debian control file +(<samp>debian/control</samp>), the installation or removal scripts +(<samp>debian/p*</samp>), or in the configuration files used with the package. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-controlfile"></a>6.4 What is a Debian control file?</h2> + +<p> +Specifics regarding the contents of a Debian control file are provided in the +Debian Policy Manual, section 5, see <a +href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">What other documentation exists on and +for a Debian system?, Section 11.1</a>. +</p> + +<p> +Briefly, a sample control file is shown below for the Debian package hello: +</p> + +<pre> + Package: hello + Priority: optional + Section: devel + Installed-Size: 45 + Maintainer: Adam Heath <doogie@debian.org> + Architecture: i386 + Version: 1.3-16 + Depends: libc6 (>= 2.1) + Description: The classic greeting, and a good example + The GNU hello program produces a familiar, friendly greeting. It + allows nonprogrammers to use a classic computer science tool which + would otherwise be unavailable to them. + . + Seriously, though: this is an example of how to do a Debian package. + It is the Debian version of the GNU Project's `hello world' program + (which is itself an example for the GNU Project). +</pre> + +<p> +The Package field gives the package name. This is the name by which the +package can be manipulated by the package tools, and usually similar to but not +necessarily the same as the first component string in the Debian archive file +name. +</p> + +<p> +The Version field gives both the upstream developer's version number and (in +the last component) the revision level of the Debian package of this program as +explained in <a href="#s-pkgname">Why are Debian package file names so long?, +Section 6.3</a>. +</p> + +<p> +The Architecture field specifies the chip for which this particular binary was +compiled. +</p> + +<p> +The Depends field gives a list of packages that have to be installed in order +to install this package successfully. +</p> + +<p> +The Installed-Size indicates how much disk space the installed package will +consume. This is intended to be used by installation front-ends in order to +show whether there is enough disk space available to install the program. +</p> + +<p> +The Section line gives the "section" where this Debian package is +stored at the Debian FTP sites. This is the name of a subdirectory (within one +of the main directories, see <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dirtree">What +are all those directories at the Debian FTP archives?, Section 5.1</a>) where +the package is stored. +</p> + +<p> +The Priority indicates how important is this package for installation, so that +semi-intelligent software like dselect or console-apt can sort the package into +a category of e.g. packages optionally installed. See <a +href="#s-priority">What is an <em>Essential</em> <em>Required</em>, +<em>Important</em>, <em>Standard</em>, <em>Optional</em>, or <em>Extra</em> +package?, Section 6.7</a>. +</p> + +<p> +The Maintainer field gives the e-mail address of the person who is currently +responsible for maintaining this package. +</p> + +<p> +The Description field gives a brief summary of the package's features. +</p> + +<p> +For more information about all possible fields a package can have, please see +the Debian Policy Manual, section 5., "Control files and their +fields". +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-conffile"></a>6.5 What is a Debian conffile?</h2> + +<p> +Conffiles is a list of configuration files (usually placed in +<samp>/etc</samp>) that the package management system will not overwrite when +the package is upgraded. This ensures that local values for the contents of +these files will be preserved, and is a critical feature enabling the in-place +upgrade of packages on a running system. +</p> + +<p> +To determine exactly which files are preserved during an upgrade, run: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --status package +</pre> + +<p> +And look under "Conffiles:". +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-maintscripts"></a>6.6 What is a Debian preinst, postinst, prerm, and postrm script?</h2> + +<p> +These files are executable scripts which are automatically run before or after +a package is installed. Along with a file named <samp>control</samp>, all of +these files are part of the "control" section of a Debian archive +file. +</p> + +<p> +The individual files are: +</p> +<dl> +<dt>preinst</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This script executes before that package will be unpacked from its Debian +archive (".deb") file. Many 'preinst' scripts stop services for +packages which are being upgraded until their installation or upgrade is +completed (following the successful execution of the 'postinst' script). +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>postinst</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This script typically completes any required configuration of the package +<samp>foo</samp> once <samp>foo</samp> has been unpacked from its Debian +archive (".deb") file. Often, 'postinst' scripts ask the user for +input, and/or warn the user that if he accepts default values, he should +remember to go back and re-configure that package as the situation warrants. +Many 'postinst' scripts then execute any commands necessary to start or restart +a service once a new package has been installed or upgraded. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>prerm</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This script typically stops any daemons which are associated with a package. +It is executed before the removal of files associated with the package. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>postrm</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This script typically modifies links or other files associated with +<samp>foo</samp>, and/or removes files created by the package. (Also see <a +href="#s-virtual">What is a Virtual Package?, Section 6.8</a>.) +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<p> +Currently all of the control files can be found in directory +<samp>/var/lib/dpkg/info</samp>. The files relevant to package +<samp>foo</samp> begin with the name "foo" and have file extensions +of "preinst", "postinst", etc., as appropriate. The file +<samp>foo.list</samp> in that directory lists all of the files that were +installed with the package <samp>foo</samp>. (Note that the location of these +files is a dpkg internal; you should not rely on it.) +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-priority"></a>6.7 What is an <em>Essential</em> <em>Required</em>, <em>Important</em>, <em>Standard</em>, <em>Optional</em>, or <em>Extra</em> package?</h2> + +<p> +Each Debian package is assigned a <em>priority</em> by the distribution +maintainers, as an aid to the package management system. The priorities are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Required</strong>: packages that are necessary for the proper +functioning of the system. +</p> + +<p> +This includes all tools that are necessary to repair system defects. You must +not remove these packages or your system may become totally broken and you may +probably not even be able to use dpkg to put things back. Systems with only +the Required packages are probably unusable, but they do have enough +functionality to allow the sysadmin to boot and install more software. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Important</strong> packages should be found on any Unix-like system. +</p> + +<p> +Other packages which the system will not run well or be usable without will be +here. This does <em>NOT</em> include Emacs or X11 or TeX or any other large +applications. These packages only constitute the bare infrastructure. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Standard</strong> packages are standard on any Linux system, including +a reasonably small but not too limited character-mode system. +</p> + +<p> +This is what will install by default if users do not select anything else. It +does not include many large applications, but it does include some development +software like the GNU C and C++ compilers (<samp>gcc</samp>, <samp>g++</samp>), +GNU make, as well as the Python interpreter and some server software like +OpenSSH, the BSD printer daemon (<samp>lpr</samp>) and the RPC portmapper +(<samp>portmap</samp>). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Optional</strong> packages include all those that you might reasonably +want to install if you did not know what it was, or do not have specialized +requirements. +</p> + +<p> +This includes X11, a full TeX distribution, and lots of applications. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Extra</strong>: packages that either conflict with others with higher +priorities, are only likely to be useful if you already know what they are, or +have specialized requirements that make them unsuitable for +"Optional". +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +If you do a default Debian installation all the packages of priority +<strong>Standard</strong> or higher will be installed in your system. If you +select pre-defined tasks you will get lower priority packages too. +</p> + +<p> +Additionally, some packages are marked as <strong>Essential</strong> since they +are absolutely necessary for the proper functioning of the system. The package +management tools will refuse to remove these. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-virtual"></a>6.8 What is a Virtual Package?</h2> + +<p> +A virtual package is a generic name that applies to any one of a group of +packages, all of which provide similar basic functionality. For example, both +the <samp>tin</samp> and <samp>trn</samp> programs are news readers, and should +therefore satisfy any dependency of a program that required a news reader on a +system, in order to work or to be useful. They are therefore both said to +provide the "virtual package" called <samp>news-reader</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Similarly, <samp>smail</samp> and <samp>sendmail</samp> both provide the +functionality of a mail transport agent. They are therefore said to provide +the virtual package, "mail transport agent". If either one is +installed, then any program depending on the installation of a +<samp>mail-transport-agent</samp> will be satisfied by the existence of this +virtual package. +</p> + +<p> +Debian provides a mechanism so that, if more than one package which provide the +same virtual package is installed on a system, then system administrators can +set one as the preferred package. The relevant command is +<samp>update-alternatives</samp>, and is described further in <a +href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-diverse">Some users like mawk, others like gawk; +some like vim, others like elvis; some like trn, others like tin; how does +Debian support diversity?, Section 10.10</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-depends"></a>6.9 What is meant by saying that a package <em>Depends</em>, <em>Recommends</em>, <em>Suggests</em>, <em>Conflicts</em>, <em>Replaces</em> or <em>Provides</em> another package?</h2> + +<p> +The Debian package system has a range of package "dependencies" which +are designed to indicate (in a single flag) the level at which Program A can +operate independently of the existence of Program B on a given system: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>depends</em> on Package B if B absolutely must be installed in +order to run A. In some cases, A depends not only on B, but on a version of B. +In this case, the version dependency is usually a lower limit, in the sense +that A depends on any version of B more recent than some specified version. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>recommends</em> Package B, if the package maintainer judges that +most users would not want A without also having the functionality provided by +B. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>suggests</em> Package B if B contains files that are related to +(and usually enhance) the functionality of A. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>conflicts</em> with Package B when A will not operate if B is +installed on the system. Most often, conflicts are cases where A contains +files which are an improvement over those in B. "Conflicts" are +often combined with "replaces". +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>replaces</em> Package B when files installed by B are removed and +(in some cases) over-written by files in A. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Package A <em>provides</em> Package B when all of the files and functionality +of B are incorporated into A. This mechanism provides a way for users with +constrained disk space to get only that part of package A which they really +need. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +More detailed information on the use of each these terms can be found in the +Policy manual. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pre-depends"></a>6.10 What is meant by Pre-Depends?</h2> + +<p> +"Pre-Depends" is a special dependency. In the case of most packages, +<samp>dpkg</samp> will unpack its archive file (i.e., its <samp>.deb</samp> +file) independently of whether or not the files on which it depends exist on +the system. Simplistically, unpacking means that <samp>dpkg</samp> will +extract the files from the archive file that were meant to be installed on your +file system, and put them in place. If those packages <em>depend</em> on the +existence of some other packages on your system, <samp>dpkg</samp> will refuse +to complete the installation (by executing its "configure" action) +until the other packages are installed. +</p> + +<p> +However, for some packages, <samp>dpkg</samp> will refuse even to unpack them +until certain dependencies are resolved. Such packages are said to +"Pre-depend" on the presence of some other packages. The Debian +project provided this mechanism to support the safe upgrading of systems from +<samp>a.out</samp> format to <samp>ELF</samp> format, where the <em>order</em> +in which packages were unpacked was critical. There are other large upgrade +situations where this method is useful, e.g. the packages with the required +priority and their LibC dependency. +</p> + +<p> +As before, more detailed information about this can be found in the Policy +manual. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pkgstatus"></a>6.11 What is meant by <em>unknown</em>, <em>install</em>, <em>remove</em> <em>purge</em> and <em>hold</em> in the package status?</h2> + +<p> +These "want" flags tell what the user wanted to do with a package (as +indicated either by the user's actions in the "Select" section of +<samp>dselect</samp>, or by the user's direct invocations of +<samp>dpkg</samp>). +</p> + +<p> +Their meanings are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +unknown - the user has never indicated whether he wants the package +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +install - the user wants the package installed or upgraded +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +remove - the user wants the package removed, but does not want to remove any +existing configuration files. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +purge - the user wants the package to be removed completely, including its +configuration files. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +hold - the user wants this package not to be processed, i.e., he wants to keep +the current version with the current status whatever that is. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-puttingonhold"></a>6.12 How do I put a package on hold?</h2> + +<p> +There are three ways of holding back packages, with dpkg, aptitude or with +dselect. +</p> + +<p> +With dpkg, you just have to export the list of package selections, with: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --get-selections \* > selections.txt +</pre> + +<p> +Then edit the resulting file <code>selections.txt</code>, change the line +containing the package you wish to hold, e.g. <code>libc6</code>, from this: +</p> + +<pre> + libc6 install +</pre> + +<p> +to this: +</p> + +<pre> + libc6 hold +</pre> + +<p> +Save the file, and reload it into dpkg database with: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --set-selections < selections.txt +</pre> + +<p> +With aptitude, you can hold a package using +</p> + +<pre> + aptitude hold package_name +</pre> + +<p> +and remove the hold with +</p> + +<pre> + aptitude unhold package_name +</pre> + +<p> +With dselect, you just have to enter the [S]elect screen, find the package you +wish to hold in its present state, and press the `=' key (or `H'). The changes +will go live immediately after you exit the [S]elect screen. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-sourcepkgs"></a>6.13 How do I install a source package?</h2> + +<p> +Debian source packages can't actually be "installed", they are just +unpacked in whatever directory you want to build the binary packages they +produce. +</p> + +<p> +Source packages are distributed on most of the same mirrors where you can +obtain the binary packages. If you set up your APT's +<code>sources.list(5)</code> to include the appropriate "deb-src" +lines, you'll be able to easily download any source packages by running +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get source foo +</pre> + +<p> +To help you in actually building the source package, Debian source package +provide the so-called build-dependencies mechanism. This means that the source +package maintainer keeps a list of other packages that are required to build +their package. To see how this is useful, run +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get build-dep foo +</pre> + +<p> +before building the source. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-sourcebuild"></a>6.14 How do I build binary packages from a source package?</h2> + +<p> +You will need all of foo_*.dsc, foo_*.tar.gz and foo_*.diff.gz to compile the +source (note: there is no .diff.gz for some packages that are native to +Debian). +</p> + +<p> +Once you have them (<a href="#s-sourcepkgs">How do I install a source package?, +Section 6.13</a>), if you have the <code>dpkg-dev</code> package installed, the +following command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg-source -x foo_version-revision.dsc +</pre> + +<p> +will extract the package into a directory called <samp>foo-version</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +If you want just to compile the package, you may cd into +<samp>foo-version</samp> directory and issue the command +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg-buildpackage -rfakeroot -b +</pre> + +<p> +to build the package (note that this also requires the <code>fakeroot</code> +package), and then +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg -i ../foo_version-revision_arch.deb +</pre> + +<p> +to install the newly-built package(s). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-creatingdebs"></a>6.15 How do I create Debian packages myself?</h2> + +<p> +For more detailed description on this, read the New Maintainers' Guide, +available in the <code>maint-guide</code> package, or at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/devel-manuals#maint-guide">http://www.debian.org/doc/devel-manuals#maint-guide</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ 6 ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkgtools.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkgtools.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..114bb9fe2 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkgtools.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,936 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - The Debian package management tools</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-pkgtools"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ 7 ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 7 - The Debian package management tools +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pkgprogs"></a>7.1 What programs does Debian provide for managing its packages?</h2> + +<p> +There are multiple tools that are used to manage Debian packages, from graphic +or text-based interfaces to the low level tools used to install packages. All +the available tools rely on the lower level tools to properly work and are +presented here in decreasing complexity level. +</p> + +<p> +It is important to understand that the higher level package management tools +such as <code>aptitude</code> or <code>dselect</code> rely on <code>apt</code> +which, itself, relies on <code>dpkg</code> to manage the packages in the +system. +</p> + +<p> +See the <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/apt-howto/">APT +HOWTO</a></code> for more information about the Debian package management +utilities. This document is available in various languages and formats, see +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#apt-howto">the APT HOWTO +entry on the DDP Users' Manuals overview</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dpkg"></a>7.1.1 dpkg</h3> + +<p> +This is the main package management program. <code>dpkg</code> can be invoked +with many options. Some common uses are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Find out all the options: <samp>dpkg --help</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Print out the control file (and other information) for a specified package: +<samp>dpkg --info foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Install a package (including unpacking and configuring) onto the file system of +the hard disk: <samp>dpkg --install foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Unpack (but do not configure) a Debian archive into the file system of the hard +disk: <samp>dpkg --unpack foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp>. Note that this operation +does <em>not</em> necessarily leave the package in a usable state; some files +may need further customization to run properly. This command removes any +already-installed version of the program and runs the preinst (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-maintscripts">What is a Debian preinst, postinst, +prerm, and postrm script?, Section 6.6</a>) script associated with the package. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Configure a package that already has been unpacked: <samp>dpkg --configure +foo</samp>. Among other things, this action runs the postinst (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-maintscripts">What is a Debian preinst, postinst, +prerm, and postrm script?, Section 6.6</a>) script associated with the package. +It also updates the files listed in the <samp>conffiles</samp> for this +package. Notice that the 'configure' operation takes as its argument a package +name (e.g., foo), <em>not</em> the name of a Debian archive file (e.g., +foo_VVV-RRR.deb). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Extract a single file named "blurf" (or a group of files named +"blurf*" from a Debian archive: <samp>dpkg --fsys-tarfile +foo_VVV-RRR.deb | tar -xf - blurf*</samp> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Remove a package (but not its configuration files): <samp>dpkg --remove +foo</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Remove a package (including its configuration files): <samp>dpkg --purge +foo</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +List the installation status of packages containing the string (or regular +expression) "foo*": <samp>dpkg --list 'foo*'</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-apt-get"></a>7.1.2 APT</h3> + +<p> +APT is the <em>Advanced Package Tool</em> and provides the <code>apt-get</code> +program. <code>apt-get</code> provides a simple way to retrieve and install +packages from multiple sources using the command line. Unlike +<code>dpkg</code>, <code>apt-get</code> does not understand .deb files, it +works with the packages proper name and can only install .deb archives from a +source specified in <code>/etc/apt/sources.list</code>. <code>apt-get</code> +will call <code>dpkg</code> directly after downloading the .deb archives[<a +href="footnotes.en.html#f4" name="fr4">4</a>] from the configured sources. +</p> + +<p> +Some common ways to use <code>apt-get</code> are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To update the list of package known by your system, you can run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get update +</pre> + +<p> +(you should execute this regularly to update your package lists) +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To upgrade all the packages on your system, run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get upgrade +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To install the <var>foo</var> package and all its dependencies, run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get install foo +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To remove the foo package from your system, run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get remove foo +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To remove the foo package and its configuration files from your system, run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get --purge remove foo +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To upgrade all the packages on your system to a new Debian GNU/Linux release, +run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get dist-upgrade +</pre> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Note that you must be logged in as root to perform any commands that modify the +system packages. +</p> + +<p> +The apt tool suite also includes the <code>apt-cache</code> tool to query the +package lists. You can use it to find packages providing specific +functionality through simple text or regular expression queries and through +queries of dependencies in the package management system. Some common ways to +use <code>apt-cache</code> are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To find packages whose description contain <var>word</var>: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-cache search <var>word</var> +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To print the detailed information of a package: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-cache show <var>package</var> +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To print the packages a given package depends on: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-cache depends <var>package</var> +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To print detailed information of the versions available for a package and the +packages that reverse-depends on it: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-cache showpkg <var>package</var> +</pre> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +For more information, install the <code>apt</code> package and read +<code>apt-get(8)</code>, <code>sources.list(5)</code> and install the +<code>apt-doc</code> package and read +<code>/usr/share/doc/apt-doc/guide.html/index.html</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-aptitude"></a>7.1.3 aptitude</h3> + +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> is a package manager for Debian GNU/Linux systems that +provides a frontend to the apt package management infrastructure. +<code>aptitude</code> is a text-based interface using the curses library, it +can be used to perform management tasks in a fast and easy way. +</p> + +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> provides the functionality of <code>dselect</code> and +<code>apt-get</code>, as well as many additional features not found in either +program: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> offers access to all versions of a package. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> logs all its actions in <code>/var/log/aptitude</code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> makes it easy to keep track of obsolete software by +listing it under "Obsolete and Locally Created Packages". +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> includes a fairly powerful system for searching +particular packages and limiting the package display. Users familiar with +<code>mutt</code> will pick up quickly, as <code>mutt</code> was the +inspiration for the expression syntax. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> tracks which packages have been installed due to +dependencies and removes them automatically when the packages that needed them +are removed from the system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> can automatically install <em>Recommended:</em> +packages[<a href="footnotes.en.html#f5" name="fr5">5</a>]. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> in full screen mode has <code>su</code> functionality +embedded and can be run by a normal user. It will call <code>su</code> (and +ask for the root password, if any) when you really need administrative +privileges +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +You can use <code>aptitude</code> through a visual interface (simply run +<samp>aptitude</samp>) or directly from the command line. The command line +syntax used is very similar to the one used in <code>apt-get</code>. For +example, to install the <var>foo</var> package, you can run <samp>aptitude +install <var>foo</var></samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Note that <code>aptitude</code> is the recommended program by Debian to install +a package and/or to upgrade your system. +</p> + +<p> +For more informations, read the manual page <code>aptitude(8)</code> and +install the <code>aptitude-doc-en</code> package. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dselect"></a>7.1.4 dselect</h3> + +<p> +This program is a menu-driven interface to the Debian package management +system. It is particularly useful for first-time installations. Some users +might feel more comfortable using <code>aptitude</code> which is also +recommended over <code>dselect</code> for large-scale upgrades. For more +information on <code>aptitude</code> please see <a href="#s-aptitude">aptitude, +Section 7.1.3</a>. +</p> + +<p> +<code>dselect</code> can: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +guide the user as he/she chooses among packages to install or remove, ensuring +that no packages are installed that conflict with one another, and that all +packages required to make each package work properly are installed; +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +warn the user about inconsistencies or incompatibilities in their selections; +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +determine the order in which the packages must be installed; +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +automatically perform the installation or removal; and +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +guide the user through whatever configuration process are required for each +package. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +<code>dselect</code> begins by presenting the user with a menu of 7 items, each +of which is a specific action. The user can select one of the actions by using +the arrow keys to move the highlighter bar, then pressing the +<em><enter></em> key to select the highlighted action. +</p> + +<p> +What the user sees next depends on the action he selected. If he selects any +option but <samp>Access</samp> or <samp>Select</samp>, then +<code>dselect</code> will simply proceed to execute the specified action: e.g., +if the user selected the action <samp>Remove</samp>, then dselect would proceed +to remove all of the files selected for removal when the user last chose the +<samp>Select</samp> action. +</p> + +<p> +Both the <samp>Access</samp> menu item and the <samp>Select</samp> menu item +lead to additional menus. In both cases, the menus are presented as split +screens; the top screen gives a scrollable list of choices, while the bottom +screen gives a brief explanation ("info") for each choice. +</p> + +<p> +Extensive on-line help is available, use the '?' key to get to a help screen +at any time. +</p> + +<p> +The order in which the actions are presented in the first <code>dselect</code> +menu represents the order in which a user would normally choose +<code>dselect</code> to install packages. However, a user can pick any of the +main menu choices as often as needed (including not at all, depending on what +one wants to do). +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Begin by choosing an <strong>Access Method</strong>. This is the method by +which the user plans on accessing Debian packages; e.g., some users have Debian +packages available on CD-ROM, while others plan to fetch them using anonymous +FTP. The selected "Access Method" is stored after +<code>dselect</code> exits, so if it does not change, then this option need not +be invoked again. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Then <strong>Update</strong> the list of available packages. To do this, +<code>dselect</code> reads the file "Packages.gz" which should be +included in the top level of the directory where the Debian packages to be +installed are stored. (But if it is not there, <code>dselect</code> will offer +to make it for you.) +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Select</strong> specific packages for installation on his system. +After choosing this menu item, the user is first presented with a full screen +of help (unless the `--expert' command line option was used). Once the user +exits the Help screen, he sees the split-screen menu for choosing packages to +install (or remove). +</p> + +<p> +The top part of the screen is a relatively narrow window into the list of +Debian's 15400 packages; the bottom part of the screen contains description of +the package or group of packages which are highlighted above. +</p> + +<p> +One can specify which packages should be operated on by highlighting a package +name or the label for a group of packages. After that, you can select +packages: +</p> +<dl> +<dt>to be installed:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is accomplished by pressing the `+' key. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>to be deleted:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +Packages can be deleted two ways: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +removed: this removes most of the files associated with the package, but +preserves the files listed as configuration files (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-conffile">What is a Debian conffile?, Section +6.5</a>) and package configuration information. This is done by pressing the +`-' key. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +purged: this removes <em>every</em> file that is part of the package. This is +done by pressing the `_' key. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Note that it's not possible to remove "All Packages". If you try +that, your system will instead be reduced to the initial installed base +packages. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>to be put "on hold"</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is done by pressing `=', and it effectively tells <code>dselect</code> not +to upgrade a package even if the version currently installed on your system is +not as recent as the version that is available in the Debian repository you are +using (this was specified when you set the <strong>Access Method</strong>, and +acquired when you used <strong>Update</strong>). +</p> + +<p> +Just like you can put a package on hold, you can reverse such setting by +pressing `:'. That tells <code>dselect</code> that the package(s) may be +upgraded if a newer version is available. This is the default setting. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<p> +You can select a different order in which the packages are presented, by using +the `o' key to cycle between various options for sorting the packages. The +default order is to present packages by Priority; within each priority, +packages are presented in order of the directory (a.k.a. section) of the +archive in which they are stored. Given this sort order, some packages in +section A (say) may be presented first, followed by some packages in section B, +followed by more packages (of lower priority) in section A. +</p> + +<p> +You can also expand meanings of the labels at the top of the screen, by using +the `v' (verbose) key. This action pushes much of the text that formerly fit +onto the display off to the right. To see it, press the right arrow; to scroll +back to the left, press the left arrow. +</p> + +<p> +If you select a package for installation or removal, e.g., +<code>foo.deb</code>, and that package depends on (or recommends) another +package, e.g., <code>blurf.deb</code>, then <code>dselect</code> will place the +you in a sub-screen of the main selection screen. There you can choose among +the related packages, accepting the suggested actions (to install or not), or +rejecting them. To do the latter, press Shift-D; to return to the former, +press Shift-U. In any case, you can save your selections and return to the +main selection screen by pressing Shift-Q. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Users returning to the main menu can then select the "Install" menu +item to unpack and configure the selected packages. Alternatively, users +wishing to remove files can choose the "Remove" menu item. At any +point, users can choose "Quit" to exit dselect; users' selections are +preserved by <code>dselect</code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dpkg-extra"></a>7.1.5 Other package management tools</h3> + +<hr> + +<h4><a name="s-dpkg-deb"></a>7.1.5.1 dpkg-deb</h4> + +<p> +This program manipulates Debian archive(<samp>.deb</samp>) files. Some common +uses are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Find out all the options: <samp>dpkg-deb --help</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Determine what files are contained in a Debian archive file: <samp>dpkg-deb +--contents foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp>) +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Extract the files contained in a named Debian archive into a user specified +directory: <samp>dpkg-deb --extract foo_VVV-RRR.deb tmp</samp> extracts each of +the files in <samp>foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp> into the directory <samp>tmp/</samp>. +This is convenient for examining the contents of a package in a localized +directory, without installing the package into the root file system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Note that any packages that were merely unpacked using <samp>dpkg-deb +--extract</samp> will be incorrectly installed, you should use <samp>dpkg +--install</samp> instead. +</p> + +<p> +More information is given in the manual page <code>dpkg-deb(1)</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h4><a name="s-dpkg-split"></a>7.1.5.2 dpkg-split</h4> + +<p> +This program splits large package into smaller files (e.g., for writing onto a +set of floppy disks), and can also be used to merge a set of split files back +into a single file. It can only be used on a Debian system (i.e. a system +containing the <code>dpkg</code> package), since it calls the program +<samp>dpkg-deb</samp> to parse the debian package file into its component +records. +</p> + +<p> +For example, to split a big .deb file into N parts, +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Execute the command <samp>dpkg-split --split foo.deb</samp>. This will produce +N files each of approximately 460 KBytes long in the current directory. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Copy those N files to floppy disks. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Copy the contents of the floppy disks onto the hard disk of your choice on the +other machine. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Join those part-files together using <samp>dpkg-split --join +"foo*"</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-updaterunning"></a>7.2 Debian claims to be able to update a running program; how is this accomplished?</h2> + +<p> +The kernel (file system) in Debian GNU/Linux systems supports replacing files +even while they're being used. +</p> + +<p> +We also provide a program called <code>start-stop-daemon</code> which is used +to start daemons at boot time or to stop daemons when the kernel runlevel is +changed (e.g., from multi-user to single-user or to halt). The same program is +used by installation scripts when a new package containing a daemon is +installed, to stop running daemons, and restart them as necessary. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-whatpackages"></a>7.3 How can I tell what packages are already installed on a Debian system?</h2> + +<p> +To learn the status of all the packages installed on a Debian system, execute +the command +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --list +</pre> + +<p> +This prints out a one-line summary for each package, giving a 2-letter status +symbol (explained in the header), the package name, the version which is +<em>installed</em>, and a brief description. +</p> + +<p> +To learn the status of packages whose names match the string any pattern +beginning with "foo" by executing the command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --list 'foo*' +</pre> + +<p> +To get a more verbose report for a particular package, execute the command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --status packagename +</pre> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-filesearch"></a>7.4 How can I find out what package produced a particular file?</h2> + +<p> +To identify the package that produced the file named <samp>foo</samp> execute +either: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>dpkg --search filename</samp> +</p> + +<p> +This searches for <samp>filename</samp> in installed packages. (This is +(currently) equivalent to searching all of the files having the file extension +of <samp>.list</samp> in the directory <samp>/var/lib/dpkg/info/</samp>, and +adjusting the output to print the names of all the packages containing it, and +diversions.) +</p> + +<p> +A faster alternative to this is the <code>dlocate</code> tool. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>zgrep foo Contents-ARCH.gz</samp> +</p> + +<p> +This searches for files which contain the substring <samp>foo</samp> in their +full path names. The files <samp>Contents-ARCH.gz</samp> (where ARCH +represents the wanted architecture) reside in the major package directories +(main, non-free, contrib) at a Debian FTP site (i.e. under +<samp>/debian/dists/sarge</samp>). A <samp>Contents</samp> file refers only to +the packages in the subdirectory tree where it resides. Therefore, a user +might have to search more than one <samp>Contents</samp> files to find the +package containing the file <samp>foo</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +This method has the advantage over <samp>dpkg --search</samp> in that it will +find files in packages that are not currently installed on your system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>apt-file search <var>foo</var></samp> +</p> + +<p> +Similar to the above, it searches files which contain the substring or regular +expression <samp>foo</samp> in their full path names. The advantage over the +sample above is that there is no need to retrieve the +<samp>Contents-ARCH.gz</samp> files as it will do this automatically for all +the sources defined in <code>/etc/apt/sources.list</code> when you run (as +root) <samp>apt-file update</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-datapackages"></a>7.5 Why doesn't get `foo-data' removed when I uninstall `foo'? How do I make sure old unused library-packages get purged?</h2> + +<p> +Some packages that are split in program (`foo') and data (`foo-data'). This is +true for many games, multimedia applications and dictionaries in Debian and has +been introduced since some users might want to access the raw data without +installing the program or because the program can be run without the data +itself, making it optional. +</p> + +<p> +Similar situations occur when dealing with libraries: generally these get +installed since packages containing applications depend on them. When the +application-package is purged, the library-package might stay on the system. +Or: when the application-package no longer depends upon e.g. libdb4.2, but +upon libdb4.3, the libdb4.2 package might stay when the application-package is +upgraded. +</p> + +<p> +In these cases, `foo-data' doesn't depend on `foo', so when you remove the +`foo' package it will not get automatically removed by most package management +tools. The same holds true for the library packages. This is necessary to +avoid circular dependencies. If you use <code>aptitude</code> (see <a +href="#s-aptitude">aptitude, Section 7.1.3</a>) as your package management tool +it will, however, track automatically installed packages and remove them when +no packages remain that need them in your system. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ 7 ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkgtools.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkgtools.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..114bb9fe2 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-pkgtools.html @@ -0,0 +1,936 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - The Debian package management tools</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-pkgtools"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ 7 ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 7 - The Debian package management tools +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pkgprogs"></a>7.1 What programs does Debian provide for managing its packages?</h2> + +<p> +There are multiple tools that are used to manage Debian packages, from graphic +or text-based interfaces to the low level tools used to install packages. All +the available tools rely on the lower level tools to properly work and are +presented here in decreasing complexity level. +</p> + +<p> +It is important to understand that the higher level package management tools +such as <code>aptitude</code> or <code>dselect</code> rely on <code>apt</code> +which, itself, relies on <code>dpkg</code> to manage the packages in the +system. +</p> + +<p> +See the <code><a href="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/apt-howto/">APT +HOWTO</a></code> for more information about the Debian package management +utilities. This document is available in various languages and formats, see +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#apt-howto">the APT HOWTO +entry on the DDP Users' Manuals overview</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dpkg"></a>7.1.1 dpkg</h3> + +<p> +This is the main package management program. <code>dpkg</code> can be invoked +with many options. Some common uses are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Find out all the options: <samp>dpkg --help</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Print out the control file (and other information) for a specified package: +<samp>dpkg --info foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Install a package (including unpacking and configuring) onto the file system of +the hard disk: <samp>dpkg --install foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Unpack (but do not configure) a Debian archive into the file system of the hard +disk: <samp>dpkg --unpack foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp>. Note that this operation +does <em>not</em> necessarily leave the package in a usable state; some files +may need further customization to run properly. This command removes any +already-installed version of the program and runs the preinst (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-maintscripts">What is a Debian preinst, postinst, +prerm, and postrm script?, Section 6.6</a>) script associated with the package. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Configure a package that already has been unpacked: <samp>dpkg --configure +foo</samp>. Among other things, this action runs the postinst (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-maintscripts">What is a Debian preinst, postinst, +prerm, and postrm script?, Section 6.6</a>) script associated with the package. +It also updates the files listed in the <samp>conffiles</samp> for this +package. Notice that the 'configure' operation takes as its argument a package +name (e.g., foo), <em>not</em> the name of a Debian archive file (e.g., +foo_VVV-RRR.deb). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Extract a single file named "blurf" (or a group of files named +"blurf*" from a Debian archive: <samp>dpkg --fsys-tarfile +foo_VVV-RRR.deb | tar -xf - blurf*</samp> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Remove a package (but not its configuration files): <samp>dpkg --remove +foo</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Remove a package (including its configuration files): <samp>dpkg --purge +foo</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +List the installation status of packages containing the string (or regular +expression) "foo*": <samp>dpkg --list 'foo*'</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-apt-get"></a>7.1.2 APT</h3> + +<p> +APT is the <em>Advanced Package Tool</em> and provides the <code>apt-get</code> +program. <code>apt-get</code> provides a simple way to retrieve and install +packages from multiple sources using the command line. Unlike +<code>dpkg</code>, <code>apt-get</code> does not understand .deb files, it +works with the packages proper name and can only install .deb archives from a +source specified in <code>/etc/apt/sources.list</code>. <code>apt-get</code> +will call <code>dpkg</code> directly after downloading the .deb archives[<a +href="footnotes.en.html#f4" name="fr4">4</a>] from the configured sources. +</p> + +<p> +Some common ways to use <code>apt-get</code> are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To update the list of package known by your system, you can run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get update +</pre> + +<p> +(you should execute this regularly to update your package lists) +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To upgrade all the packages on your system, run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get upgrade +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To install the <var>foo</var> package and all its dependencies, run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get install foo +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To remove the foo package from your system, run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get remove foo +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To remove the foo package and its configuration files from your system, run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get --purge remove foo +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To upgrade all the packages on your system to a new Debian GNU/Linux release, +run: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get dist-upgrade +</pre> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Note that you must be logged in as root to perform any commands that modify the +system packages. +</p> + +<p> +The apt tool suite also includes the <code>apt-cache</code> tool to query the +package lists. You can use it to find packages providing specific +functionality through simple text or regular expression queries and through +queries of dependencies in the package management system. Some common ways to +use <code>apt-cache</code> are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To find packages whose description contain <var>word</var>: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-cache search <var>word</var> +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To print the detailed information of a package: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-cache show <var>package</var> +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To print the packages a given package depends on: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-cache depends <var>package</var> +</pre> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +To print detailed information of the versions available for a package and the +packages that reverse-depends on it: +</p> + +<pre> + apt-cache showpkg <var>package</var> +</pre> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +For more information, install the <code>apt</code> package and read +<code>apt-get(8)</code>, <code>sources.list(5)</code> and install the +<code>apt-doc</code> package and read +<code>/usr/share/doc/apt-doc/guide.html/index.html</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-aptitude"></a>7.1.3 aptitude</h3> + +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> is a package manager for Debian GNU/Linux systems that +provides a frontend to the apt package management infrastructure. +<code>aptitude</code> is a text-based interface using the curses library, it +can be used to perform management tasks in a fast and easy way. +</p> + +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> provides the functionality of <code>dselect</code> and +<code>apt-get</code>, as well as many additional features not found in either +program: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> offers access to all versions of a package. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> logs all its actions in <code>/var/log/aptitude</code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> makes it easy to keep track of obsolete software by +listing it under "Obsolete and Locally Created Packages". +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> includes a fairly powerful system for searching +particular packages and limiting the package display. Users familiar with +<code>mutt</code> will pick up quickly, as <code>mutt</code> was the +inspiration for the expression syntax. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> tracks which packages have been installed due to +dependencies and removes them automatically when the packages that needed them +are removed from the system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> can automatically install <em>Recommended:</em> +packages[<a href="footnotes.en.html#f5" name="fr5">5</a>]. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> in full screen mode has <code>su</code> functionality +embedded and can be run by a normal user. It will call <code>su</code> (and +ask for the root password, if any) when you really need administrative +privileges +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +You can use <code>aptitude</code> through a visual interface (simply run +<samp>aptitude</samp>) or directly from the command line. The command line +syntax used is very similar to the one used in <code>apt-get</code>. For +example, to install the <var>foo</var> package, you can run <samp>aptitude +install <var>foo</var></samp>. +</p> + +<p> +Note that <code>aptitude</code> is the recommended program by Debian to install +a package and/or to upgrade your system. +</p> + +<p> +For more informations, read the manual page <code>aptitude(8)</code> and +install the <code>aptitude-doc-en</code> package. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dselect"></a>7.1.4 dselect</h3> + +<p> +This program is a menu-driven interface to the Debian package management +system. It is particularly useful for first-time installations. Some users +might feel more comfortable using <code>aptitude</code> which is also +recommended over <code>dselect</code> for large-scale upgrades. For more +information on <code>aptitude</code> please see <a href="#s-aptitude">aptitude, +Section 7.1.3</a>. +</p> + +<p> +<code>dselect</code> can: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +guide the user as he/she chooses among packages to install or remove, ensuring +that no packages are installed that conflict with one another, and that all +packages required to make each package work properly are installed; +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +warn the user about inconsistencies or incompatibilities in their selections; +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +determine the order in which the packages must be installed; +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +automatically perform the installation or removal; and +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +guide the user through whatever configuration process are required for each +package. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +<code>dselect</code> begins by presenting the user with a menu of 7 items, each +of which is a specific action. The user can select one of the actions by using +the arrow keys to move the highlighter bar, then pressing the +<em><enter></em> key to select the highlighted action. +</p> + +<p> +What the user sees next depends on the action he selected. If he selects any +option but <samp>Access</samp> or <samp>Select</samp>, then +<code>dselect</code> will simply proceed to execute the specified action: e.g., +if the user selected the action <samp>Remove</samp>, then dselect would proceed +to remove all of the files selected for removal when the user last chose the +<samp>Select</samp> action. +</p> + +<p> +Both the <samp>Access</samp> menu item and the <samp>Select</samp> menu item +lead to additional menus. In both cases, the menus are presented as split +screens; the top screen gives a scrollable list of choices, while the bottom +screen gives a brief explanation ("info") for each choice. +</p> + +<p> +Extensive on-line help is available, use the '?' key to get to a help screen +at any time. +</p> + +<p> +The order in which the actions are presented in the first <code>dselect</code> +menu represents the order in which a user would normally choose +<code>dselect</code> to install packages. However, a user can pick any of the +main menu choices as often as needed (including not at all, depending on what +one wants to do). +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Begin by choosing an <strong>Access Method</strong>. This is the method by +which the user plans on accessing Debian packages; e.g., some users have Debian +packages available on CD-ROM, while others plan to fetch them using anonymous +FTP. The selected "Access Method" is stored after +<code>dselect</code> exits, so if it does not change, then this option need not +be invoked again. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Then <strong>Update</strong> the list of available packages. To do this, +<code>dselect</code> reads the file "Packages.gz" which should be +included in the top level of the directory where the Debian packages to be +installed are stored. (But if it is not there, <code>dselect</code> will offer +to make it for you.) +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<strong>Select</strong> specific packages for installation on his system. +After choosing this menu item, the user is first presented with a full screen +of help (unless the `--expert' command line option was used). Once the user +exits the Help screen, he sees the split-screen menu for choosing packages to +install (or remove). +</p> + +<p> +The top part of the screen is a relatively narrow window into the list of +Debian's 15400 packages; the bottom part of the screen contains description of +the package or group of packages which are highlighted above. +</p> + +<p> +One can specify which packages should be operated on by highlighting a package +name or the label for a group of packages. After that, you can select +packages: +</p> +<dl> +<dt>to be installed:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is accomplished by pressing the `+' key. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>to be deleted:</dt> +<dd> +<p> +Packages can be deleted two ways: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +removed: this removes most of the files associated with the package, but +preserves the files listed as configuration files (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-conffile">What is a Debian conffile?, Section +6.5</a>) and package configuration information. This is done by pressing the +`-' key. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +purged: this removes <em>every</em> file that is part of the package. This is +done by pressing the `_' key. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Note that it's not possible to remove "All Packages". If you try +that, your system will instead be reduced to the initial installed base +packages. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> +<dl> +<dt>to be put "on hold"</dt> +<dd> +<p> +This is done by pressing `=', and it effectively tells <code>dselect</code> not +to upgrade a package even if the version currently installed on your system is +not as recent as the version that is available in the Debian repository you are +using (this was specified when you set the <strong>Access Method</strong>, and +acquired when you used <strong>Update</strong>). +</p> + +<p> +Just like you can put a package on hold, you can reverse such setting by +pressing `:'. That tells <code>dselect</code> that the package(s) may be +upgraded if a newer version is available. This is the default setting. +</p> +</dd> +</dl> + +<p> +You can select a different order in which the packages are presented, by using +the `o' key to cycle between various options for sorting the packages. The +default order is to present packages by Priority; within each priority, +packages are presented in order of the directory (a.k.a. section) of the +archive in which they are stored. Given this sort order, some packages in +section A (say) may be presented first, followed by some packages in section B, +followed by more packages (of lower priority) in section A. +</p> + +<p> +You can also expand meanings of the labels at the top of the screen, by using +the `v' (verbose) key. This action pushes much of the text that formerly fit +onto the display off to the right. To see it, press the right arrow; to scroll +back to the left, press the left arrow. +</p> + +<p> +If you select a package for installation or removal, e.g., +<code>foo.deb</code>, and that package depends on (or recommends) another +package, e.g., <code>blurf.deb</code>, then <code>dselect</code> will place the +you in a sub-screen of the main selection screen. There you can choose among +the related packages, accepting the suggested actions (to install or not), or +rejecting them. To do the latter, press Shift-D; to return to the former, +press Shift-U. In any case, you can save your selections and return to the +main selection screen by pressing Shift-Q. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Users returning to the main menu can then select the "Install" menu +item to unpack and configure the selected packages. Alternatively, users +wishing to remove files can choose the "Remove" menu item. At any +point, users can choose "Quit" to exit dselect; users' selections are +preserved by <code>dselect</code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dpkg-extra"></a>7.1.5 Other package management tools</h3> + +<hr> + +<h4><a name="s-dpkg-deb"></a>7.1.5.1 dpkg-deb</h4> + +<p> +This program manipulates Debian archive(<samp>.deb</samp>) files. Some common +uses are: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Find out all the options: <samp>dpkg-deb --help</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Determine what files are contained in a Debian archive file: <samp>dpkg-deb +--contents foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp>) +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Extract the files contained in a named Debian archive into a user specified +directory: <samp>dpkg-deb --extract foo_VVV-RRR.deb tmp</samp> extracts each of +the files in <samp>foo_VVV-RRR.deb</samp> into the directory <samp>tmp/</samp>. +This is convenient for examining the contents of a package in a localized +directory, without installing the package into the root file system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Note that any packages that were merely unpacked using <samp>dpkg-deb +--extract</samp> will be incorrectly installed, you should use <samp>dpkg +--install</samp> instead. +</p> + +<p> +More information is given in the manual page <code>dpkg-deb(1)</code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h4><a name="s-dpkg-split"></a>7.1.5.2 dpkg-split</h4> + +<p> +This program splits large package into smaller files (e.g., for writing onto a +set of floppy disks), and can also be used to merge a set of split files back +into a single file. It can only be used on a Debian system (i.e. a system +containing the <code>dpkg</code> package), since it calls the program +<samp>dpkg-deb</samp> to parse the debian package file into its component +records. +</p> + +<p> +For example, to split a big .deb file into N parts, +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Execute the command <samp>dpkg-split --split foo.deb</samp>. This will produce +N files each of approximately 460 KBytes long in the current directory. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Copy those N files to floppy disks. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Copy the contents of the floppy disks onto the hard disk of your choice on the +other machine. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Join those part-files together using <samp>dpkg-split --join +"foo*"</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-updaterunning"></a>7.2 Debian claims to be able to update a running program; how is this accomplished?</h2> + +<p> +The kernel (file system) in Debian GNU/Linux systems supports replacing files +even while they're being used. +</p> + +<p> +We also provide a program called <code>start-stop-daemon</code> which is used +to start daemons at boot time or to stop daemons when the kernel runlevel is +changed (e.g., from multi-user to single-user or to halt). The same program is +used by installation scripts when a new package containing a daemon is +installed, to stop running daemons, and restart them as necessary. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-whatpackages"></a>7.3 How can I tell what packages are already installed on a Debian system?</h2> + +<p> +To learn the status of all the packages installed on a Debian system, execute +the command +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --list +</pre> + +<p> +This prints out a one-line summary for each package, giving a 2-letter status +symbol (explained in the header), the package name, the version which is +<em>installed</em>, and a brief description. +</p> + +<p> +To learn the status of packages whose names match the string any pattern +beginning with "foo" by executing the command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --list 'foo*' +</pre> + +<p> +To get a more verbose report for a particular package, execute the command: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --status packagename +</pre> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-filesearch"></a>7.4 How can I find out what package produced a particular file?</h2> + +<p> +To identify the package that produced the file named <samp>foo</samp> execute +either: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>dpkg --search filename</samp> +</p> + +<p> +This searches for <samp>filename</samp> in installed packages. (This is +(currently) equivalent to searching all of the files having the file extension +of <samp>.list</samp> in the directory <samp>/var/lib/dpkg/info/</samp>, and +adjusting the output to print the names of all the packages containing it, and +diversions.) +</p> + +<p> +A faster alternative to this is the <code>dlocate</code> tool. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>zgrep foo Contents-ARCH.gz</samp> +</p> + +<p> +This searches for files which contain the substring <samp>foo</samp> in their +full path names. The files <samp>Contents-ARCH.gz</samp> (where ARCH +represents the wanted architecture) reside in the major package directories +(main, non-free, contrib) at a Debian FTP site (i.e. under +<samp>/debian/dists/sarge</samp>). A <samp>Contents</samp> file refers only to +the packages in the subdirectory tree where it resides. Therefore, a user +might have to search more than one <samp>Contents</samp> files to find the +package containing the file <samp>foo</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +This method has the advantage over <samp>dpkg --search</samp> in that it will +find files in packages that are not currently installed on your system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>apt-file search <var>foo</var></samp> +</p> + +<p> +Similar to the above, it searches files which contain the substring or regular +expression <samp>foo</samp> in their full path names. The advantage over the +sample above is that there is no need to retrieve the +<samp>Contents-ARCH.gz</samp> files as it will do this automatically for all +the sources defined in <code>/etc/apt/sources.list</code> when you run (as +root) <samp>apt-file update</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-datapackages"></a>7.5 Why doesn't get `foo-data' removed when I uninstall `foo'? How do I make sure old unused library-packages get purged?</h2> + +<p> +Some packages that are split in program (`foo') and data (`foo-data'). This is +true for many games, multimedia applications and dictionaries in Debian and has +been introduced since some users might want to access the raw data without +installing the program or because the program can be run without the data +itself, making it optional. +</p> + +<p> +Similar situations occur when dealing with libraries: generally these get +installed since packages containing applications depend on them. When the +application-package is purged, the library-package might stay on the system. +Or: when the application-package no longer depends upon e.g. libdb4.2, but +upon libdb4.3, the libdb4.2 package might stay when the application-package is +upgraded. +</p> + +<p> +In these cases, `foo-data' doesn't depend on `foo', so when you remove the +`foo' package it will not get automatically removed by most package management +tools. The same holds true for the library packages. This is necessary to +avoid circular dependencies. If you use <code>aptitude</code> (see <a +href="#s-aptitude">aptitude, Section 7.1.3</a>) as your package management tool +it will, however, track automatically installed packages and remove them when +no packages remain that need them in your system. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ 7 ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-redistrib.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-redistrib.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..f0ac5d0c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-redistrib.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,170 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Redistributing Debian GNU/Linux in a commercial product</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-redistrib"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ 13 ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 13 - Redistributing Debian GNU/Linux in a commercial product +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-sellcds"></a>13.1 Can I make and sell Debian CDs?</h2> + +<p> +Go ahead. You do not need permission to distribute anything we have +<em>released</em>, so that you can master your CD as soon as the beta-test +ends. You do not have to pay us anything. Of course, all CD manufacturers +must honor the licenses of the programs in Debian. For example, many of the +programs are licensed under the GPL, which requires you to distribute their +source code. +</p> + +<p> +Also, we will publish a list of CD manufacturers who donate money, software, +and time to the Debian project, and we will encourage users to buy from +manufacturers who donate, so it is good advertising to make donations. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-packagednonfree"></a>13.2 Can Debian be packaged with non-free software?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. While all the main components of Debian are free software, we provide a +non-free directory for programs that are not freely redistributable. +</p> + +<p> +CD manufacturers <em>may</em> be able to distribute the programs we have placed +in that directory, depending on the license terms or their private arrangements +with the authors of those software packages. CD manufacturers can also +distribute the non-free software they get from other sources on the same CD. +This is nothing new: free and commercial software are distributed on the same +CD by many manufacturers now. Of course we still encourage software authors to +release the programs they write as free software. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-childistro"></a>13.3 I am making a special Linux distribution for a "vertical market". Can I use Debian GNU/Linux for the guts of a Linux system and add my own applications on top of it?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. Debian-derived distributions are being created both in close cooperation +with the Debian project itself and by external parties. One can use the +<code><a href="http://cdd.alioth.debian.org/">Custom Debian +Distributions</a></code> framework to work together with Debian; <code><a +href="http://www.skolelinux.org/">Skolelinux</a></code> is one such project. +</p> + +<p> +One person is building a "Linux for Hams" distribution, with +specialized programs for Radio Amateurs. He is starting with Debian as the +"base system", and adding programs to control the transmitter, track +satellites, etc. All of the programs he adds are packaged with the Debian +packaging system so that his users will be able to upgrade easily when he +releases subsequent CDs. +</p> + +<p> +There are several other Debian-derived distributions already on the market, +such as Progeny Debian, Linspire, Knoppix and Ubuntu, that are targeted at a +different kind of audience than the original Debian GNU/Linux is, but use most +of our components in their product. +</p> + +<p> +Debian also provides a mechanism to allow developers and system administrators +to install local versions of selected files in such a way that they will not be +overwritten when other packages are upgraded. This is discussed further in the +question on <a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-divert">How do I override a file +installed by a package, so that a different version can be used instead?, +Section 10.8</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-commercialdebs"></a>13.4 Can I put my commercial program in a Debian "package" so that it installs effortlessly on any Debian system?</h2> + +<p> +Go right ahead. The package tool is free software; the packages may or may not +be free software, it can install them all. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ 13 ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-redistrib.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-redistrib.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..f0ac5d0c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-redistrib.html @@ -0,0 +1,170 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Redistributing Debian GNU/Linux in a commercial product</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-redistrib"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ 13 ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 13 - Redistributing Debian GNU/Linux in a commercial product +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-sellcds"></a>13.1 Can I make and sell Debian CDs?</h2> + +<p> +Go ahead. You do not need permission to distribute anything we have +<em>released</em>, so that you can master your CD as soon as the beta-test +ends. You do not have to pay us anything. Of course, all CD manufacturers +must honor the licenses of the programs in Debian. For example, many of the +programs are licensed under the GPL, which requires you to distribute their +source code. +</p> + +<p> +Also, we will publish a list of CD manufacturers who donate money, software, +and time to the Debian project, and we will encourage users to buy from +manufacturers who donate, so it is good advertising to make donations. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-packagednonfree"></a>13.2 Can Debian be packaged with non-free software?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. While all the main components of Debian are free software, we provide a +non-free directory for programs that are not freely redistributable. +</p> + +<p> +CD manufacturers <em>may</em> be able to distribute the programs we have placed +in that directory, depending on the license terms or their private arrangements +with the authors of those software packages. CD manufacturers can also +distribute the non-free software they get from other sources on the same CD. +This is nothing new: free and commercial software are distributed on the same +CD by many manufacturers now. Of course we still encourage software authors to +release the programs they write as free software. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-childistro"></a>13.3 I am making a special Linux distribution for a "vertical market". Can I use Debian GNU/Linux for the guts of a Linux system and add my own applications on top of it?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. Debian-derived distributions are being created both in close cooperation +with the Debian project itself and by external parties. One can use the +<code><a href="http://cdd.alioth.debian.org/">Custom Debian +Distributions</a></code> framework to work together with Debian; <code><a +href="http://www.skolelinux.org/">Skolelinux</a></code> is one such project. +</p> + +<p> +One person is building a "Linux for Hams" distribution, with +specialized programs for Radio Amateurs. He is starting with Debian as the +"base system", and adding programs to control the transmitter, track +satellites, etc. All of the programs he adds are packaged with the Debian +packaging system so that his users will be able to upgrade easily when he +releases subsequent CDs. +</p> + +<p> +There are several other Debian-derived distributions already on the market, +such as Progeny Debian, Linspire, Knoppix and Ubuntu, that are targeted at a +different kind of audience than the original Debian GNU/Linux is, but use most +of our components in their product. +</p> + +<p> +Debian also provides a mechanism to allow developers and system administrators +to install local versions of selected files in such a way that they will not be +overwritten when other packages are upgraded. This is discussed further in the +question on <a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-divert">How do I override a file +installed by a package, so that a different version can be used instead?, +Section 10.8</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-commercialdebs"></a>13.4 Can I put my commercial program in a Debian "package" so that it installs effortlessly on any Debian system?</h2> + +<p> +Go right ahead. The package tool is free software; the packages may or may not +be free software, it can install them all. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ 13 ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-software.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-software.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..bedb65f9e --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-software.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,410 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Software available in the Debian system</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-software"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ 4 ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 4 - Software available in the Debian system +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-apps"></a>4.1 What types of applications and development software are available for Debian GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +Like most Linux distributions, Debian GNU/Linux provides: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +the major GNU applications for software development, file manipulation, and +text processing, including gcc, g++, make, texinfo, Emacs, the Bash shell and +numerous upgraded Unix utilities, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Perl, Python, Tcl/Tk and various related programs, modules and libraries for +each of them, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +TeX (LaTeX) and Lyx, dvips, Ghostscript, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +the X Window System, which provides a networked graphical user interface for +Linux, and countless X applications including GNOME and KDE as well as the GIMP +GNU Image Manipulation Program, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +a full suite of networking applications, including servers for Internet +protocols such as HTTP (WWW), FTP, NNTP (news), SMTP and POP (mail) and name +server; relational databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL; also provided are web +browsers including the various Mozilla producs, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +a complete set of office applications, including the OpenOffice.org +productivity suite, Gnumeric and other spreadsheets, WYSIWYG editors, +calendars. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +More than 15180 packages, ranging from news servers and readers to sound +support, FAX programs, database and spreadsheet programs, image processing +programs, communications, net, and mail utilities, Web servers, and even +ham-radio programs are included in the distribution. Another 450 software +suites are available as Debian packages, but are not formally part of Debian +due to license restrictions. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-softwareauthors"></a>4.2 Who wrote all that software?</h2> + +<p> +For each package the <em>authors</em> of the program(s) are credited in the +file <samp>/usr/share/doc/PACKAGE/copyright</samp>, where PACKAGE is to be +substituted with the package's name. +</p> + +<p> +<em>Maintainers</em> who package this software for the Debian GNU/Linux system +are listed in the Debian control file (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-controlfile">What is a Debian control file?, +Section 6.4</a>) that comes with each package. The Debian changelog, in +<samp>/usr/share/doc/PACKAGE/changelog.Debian.gz</samp>, mentions the people +who've worked on the Debian packaging too. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pkglist"></a>4.3 How can I get a current list of programs that have been packaged for Debian?</h2> + +<p> +A complete list is available from any of the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/distrib/ftplist">Debian mirrors</a></code>, in the +file <samp>indices/Maintainers</samp>. That file includes the package names +and the names and e-mails of their respective maintainers. +</p> + +<p> +The <code><a href="http://packages.debian.org/">WWW interface to the Debian +packages</a></code> conveniently summarizes the packages in each of about +twenty "sections" of the Debian archive. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-missing"></a>4.4 What is missing from Debian GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +A list of packages which are still needed to be packaged for Debian exists, the +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/devel/wnpp/">Work-Needing and Prospective +Packages list</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +For more details about adding the missing things, see <a +href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contrib">How can I become a Debian software +developer?, Section 12.1</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-no-devs"></a>4.5 Why do I get "ld: cannot find -lfoo" messages when compiling programs? Why aren't there any libfoo.so files in Debian library packages?</h2> + +<p> +Debian Policy requires that such symbolic links (to libfoo.so.x.y.z or similar) +are placed in separate, development packages. Those packages are usually named +libfoo-dev or libfooX-dev (presuming the library package is named libfooX, and +X is a whole number). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-java"></a>4.6 (How) Does Debian support Java?</h2> + +<p> +Since the official Java Development kit and Runtime Environment from Sun +Microsystems is non-free software, even undistributeable by Debian, it cannot +properly be included in Debian. If you want those installed anyway, please +refer to the <code>java-package</code> package in contrib. +</p> + +<p> +However, both the JDK and several <em>free</em> implementations of Java +technology are available as Debian packages. You can write, debug and run Java +programs using Debian. +</p> + +<p> +Running a Java applet requires a web browser with the capability to recognize +and execute them. Several web browsers available in Debian, such as Mozilla or +Konqueror, support Java plug-ins that enable running Java applets within them. +Netscape Navigator, while non-free, is also available as a Debian package and +it can run Java applets. +</p> + +<p> +Please refer to the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-java-faq/">Debian Java +FAQ</a></code> for more information. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-isitdebian"></a>4.7 How can I check that I am using a Debian system, and what version is it?</h2> + +<p> +In order to make sure that your system has been installed from the real Debian +base disks check for the existence of <samp>/etc/debian_version</samp> file, +which contains a single one-line entry giving the version number of the +release, as defined by the package <samp>base-files</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +The existence of the program <samp>dpkg</samp> shows that you should be able to +install Debian packages on your system, but as the program has been ported to +many other operating systems and architectures, this is no longer a reliable +method of determining is a system Debian GNU/Linux. +</p> + +<p> +Users should be aware, however, that the Debian system consists of many parts, +each of which can be updated (almost) independently. Each Debian +"release" contains well defined and unchanging contents. Updates are +separately available. For a one-line description of the installation status of +package <samp>foo</samp>, use the command <samp>dpkg --list foo</samp>. To +view versions of all installed packages, run: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg -l +</pre> + +<p> +For a more verbose description, use: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --status foo +</pre> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-nonenglish"></a>4.8 How does Debian support non-English languages?</h2> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux is distributed with keymaps for nearly two dozen keyboards, +and with utilities (in the <samp>kbd</samp> package) to install, view, and +modify the tables. +</p> + +<p> +The installation prompts the user to specify the keyboard he will use. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Vast majority of the software we packaged supports entering non-US-ASCII +characters used in other Latin languages (e.g. ISO-8859-1 or ISO-8859-2), and +a number of programs support multi-byte languages such as Japanese or Chinese. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Currently, support for German-, Spanish-, Finnish-, French-, Hungarian-, +Italian-, Japanese-, Korean- and Polish-language manual pages is provided +through the <samp>manpages-LANG</samp> packages (where LANG is the two-letter +ISO country code). To access an NLS manual page, the user must set the shell +LC_MESSAGES variable to the appropriate string. +</p> + +<p> +For example, in the case of the Italian-language manual pages, LC_MESSAGES +needs to be set to 'italian'. The <code>man</code> program will then search +for Italian manual pages under <samp>/usr/share/man/it/</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-usexports"></a>4.9 What about the US export regulation limitations?</h2> + +<p> +US laws placed restrictions on the export of defense articles, which includes +some types of cryptographic software. PGP and ssh, among others, fall into +this category. For the <em>sarge</em> release packages in this archive were +moved to the main archive (or to <em>non-free</em>, if applicable) due to the +US relaxing its regulations on the export of cryptography. +</p> + +<p> +To prevent anyone from taking unnecessary legal risks, certain Debian GNU/Linux +packages were only available from a non-US site <code><a +href="ftp://non-US.debian.org/debian-non-US/">ftp://non-US.debian.org/debian-non-US/</a></code>, +with numerous mirror sites all of which are also outside of the US, see +<code><a +href="ftp://non-US.debian.org/debian-non-US/README.non-US">ftp://non-US.debian.org/debian-non-US/README.non-US</a></code> +for a full list. These sites still exist (for the benefit of users of +<em>woody</em>) but its contents are no longer supported and are considered +obsolete. Please remove any mentions to non-US from your sources in your +<code>/etc/apt/sources.list</code> configuration file. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pine"></a>4.10 Where is pine?</h2> + +<p> +Due to its restrictive license, it's in the non-free area. Moreover, since +license does not even allow modified binaries to be distributed, you have to +compile it yourself from the source and the Debian patches. +</p> + +<p> +The source package name is <code>pine</code>. You can use the +<code>pine-tracker</code> package to be notified about when you need to +upgrade. +</p> + +<p> +Note that there are many replacements for both pine and pico, such as +<code>mutt</code> and <code>nano</code>, that are located in the main section. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-qmail"></a>4.11 Where is qmail/ezmlm/djbdns?</h2> + +<p> +Dan J. Bernstein distributes <code><a href="http://cr.yp.to/software.html">all +software he has written</a></code> with a restrictive license, consequently, +it's in the non-free area. Since the license he uses does not allow modified +binaries to be distributed, you have to compile it yourself from the source and +the Debian patches to obtain a binary package you can install in your Debian +GNU/Linux system. +</p> + +<p> +The source package names are <code>qmail-src</code>, <code>ezmlm-src</code> and +<code>djbdns-installer</code>, respectively. +</p> + +<p> +For <code>qmail</code> you need to install <code>qmail-src</code> first and +then run <code>build-qmail</code> to build the Debian package. You also need +to do install the <code>ucspi-tcp-src</code> package to get ucspi-tcp, which +<code>qmail</code> depends on. +</p> + +<p> +Dan J. Bernstein maintains a <code><a +href="http://cr.yp.to/distributors.html">FAQ from distributors</a></code> page +if you are interested in reading his reasons (one of which is <code><a +href="http://cr.yp.to/compatibility.html">Cross-platform +compatibility</a></code>) +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ 4 ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-software.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-software.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..bedb65f9e --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-software.html @@ -0,0 +1,410 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Software available in the Debian system</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-software"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ 4 ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 4 - Software available in the Debian system +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-apps"></a>4.1 What types of applications and development software are available for Debian GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +Like most Linux distributions, Debian GNU/Linux provides: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +the major GNU applications for software development, file manipulation, and +text processing, including gcc, g++, make, texinfo, Emacs, the Bash shell and +numerous upgraded Unix utilities, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Perl, Python, Tcl/Tk and various related programs, modules and libraries for +each of them, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +TeX (LaTeX) and Lyx, dvips, Ghostscript, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +the X Window System, which provides a networked graphical user interface for +Linux, and countless X applications including GNOME and KDE as well as the GIMP +GNU Image Manipulation Program, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +a full suite of networking applications, including servers for Internet +protocols such as HTTP (WWW), FTP, NNTP (news), SMTP and POP (mail) and name +server; relational databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL; also provided are web +browsers including the various Mozilla producs, +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +a complete set of office applications, including the OpenOffice.org +productivity suite, Gnumeric and other spreadsheets, WYSIWYG editors, +calendars. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +More than 15180 packages, ranging from news servers and readers to sound +support, FAX programs, database and spreadsheet programs, image processing +programs, communications, net, and mail utilities, Web servers, and even +ham-radio programs are included in the distribution. Another 450 software +suites are available as Debian packages, but are not formally part of Debian +due to license restrictions. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-softwareauthors"></a>4.2 Who wrote all that software?</h2> + +<p> +For each package the <em>authors</em> of the program(s) are credited in the +file <samp>/usr/share/doc/PACKAGE/copyright</samp>, where PACKAGE is to be +substituted with the package's name. +</p> + +<p> +<em>Maintainers</em> who package this software for the Debian GNU/Linux system +are listed in the Debian control file (see <a +href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-controlfile">What is a Debian control file?, +Section 6.4</a>) that comes with each package. The Debian changelog, in +<samp>/usr/share/doc/PACKAGE/changelog.Debian.gz</samp>, mentions the people +who've worked on the Debian packaging too. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pkglist"></a>4.3 How can I get a current list of programs that have been packaged for Debian?</h2> + +<p> +A complete list is available from any of the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/distrib/ftplist">Debian mirrors</a></code>, in the +file <samp>indices/Maintainers</samp>. That file includes the package names +and the names and e-mails of their respective maintainers. +</p> + +<p> +The <code><a href="http://packages.debian.org/">WWW interface to the Debian +packages</a></code> conveniently summarizes the packages in each of about +twenty "sections" of the Debian archive. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-missing"></a>4.4 What is missing from Debian GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +A list of packages which are still needed to be packaged for Debian exists, the +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/devel/wnpp/">Work-Needing and Prospective +Packages list</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +For more details about adding the missing things, see <a +href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contrib">How can I become a Debian software +developer?, Section 12.1</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-no-devs"></a>4.5 Why do I get "ld: cannot find -lfoo" messages when compiling programs? Why aren't there any libfoo.so files in Debian library packages?</h2> + +<p> +Debian Policy requires that such symbolic links (to libfoo.so.x.y.z or similar) +are placed in separate, development packages. Those packages are usually named +libfoo-dev or libfooX-dev (presuming the library package is named libfooX, and +X is a whole number). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-java"></a>4.6 (How) Does Debian support Java?</h2> + +<p> +Since the official Java Development kit and Runtime Environment from Sun +Microsystems is non-free software, even undistributeable by Debian, it cannot +properly be included in Debian. If you want those installed anyway, please +refer to the <code>java-package</code> package in contrib. +</p> + +<p> +However, both the JDK and several <em>free</em> implementations of Java +technology are available as Debian packages. You can write, debug and run Java +programs using Debian. +</p> + +<p> +Running a Java applet requires a web browser with the capability to recognize +and execute them. Several web browsers available in Debian, such as Mozilla or +Konqueror, support Java plug-ins that enable running Java applets within them. +Netscape Navigator, while non-free, is also available as a Debian package and +it can run Java applets. +</p> + +<p> +Please refer to the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-java-faq/">Debian Java +FAQ</a></code> for more information. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-isitdebian"></a>4.7 How can I check that I am using a Debian system, and what version is it?</h2> + +<p> +In order to make sure that your system has been installed from the real Debian +base disks check for the existence of <samp>/etc/debian_version</samp> file, +which contains a single one-line entry giving the version number of the +release, as defined by the package <samp>base-files</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +The existence of the program <samp>dpkg</samp> shows that you should be able to +install Debian packages on your system, but as the program has been ported to +many other operating systems and architectures, this is no longer a reliable +method of determining is a system Debian GNU/Linux. +</p> + +<p> +Users should be aware, however, that the Debian system consists of many parts, +each of which can be updated (almost) independently. Each Debian +"release" contains well defined and unchanging contents. Updates are +separately available. For a one-line description of the installation status of +package <samp>foo</samp>, use the command <samp>dpkg --list foo</samp>. To +view versions of all installed packages, run: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg -l +</pre> + +<p> +For a more verbose description, use: +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg --status foo +</pre> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-nonenglish"></a>4.8 How does Debian support non-English languages?</h2> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Debian GNU/Linux is distributed with keymaps for nearly two dozen keyboards, +and with utilities (in the <samp>kbd</samp> package) to install, view, and +modify the tables. +</p> + +<p> +The installation prompts the user to specify the keyboard he will use. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Vast majority of the software we packaged supports entering non-US-ASCII +characters used in other Latin languages (e.g. ISO-8859-1 or ISO-8859-2), and +a number of programs support multi-byte languages such as Japanese or Chinese. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Currently, support for German-, Spanish-, Finnish-, French-, Hungarian-, +Italian-, Japanese-, Korean- and Polish-language manual pages is provided +through the <samp>manpages-LANG</samp> packages (where LANG is the two-letter +ISO country code). To access an NLS manual page, the user must set the shell +LC_MESSAGES variable to the appropriate string. +</p> + +<p> +For example, in the case of the Italian-language manual pages, LC_MESSAGES +needs to be set to 'italian'. The <code>man</code> program will then search +for Italian manual pages under <samp>/usr/share/man/it/</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-usexports"></a>4.9 What about the US export regulation limitations?</h2> + +<p> +US laws placed restrictions on the export of defense articles, which includes +some types of cryptographic software. PGP and ssh, among others, fall into +this category. For the <em>sarge</em> release packages in this archive were +moved to the main archive (or to <em>non-free</em>, if applicable) due to the +US relaxing its regulations on the export of cryptography. +</p> + +<p> +To prevent anyone from taking unnecessary legal risks, certain Debian GNU/Linux +packages were only available from a non-US site <code><a +href="ftp://non-US.debian.org/debian-non-US/">ftp://non-US.debian.org/debian-non-US/</a></code>, +with numerous mirror sites all of which are also outside of the US, see +<code><a +href="ftp://non-US.debian.org/debian-non-US/README.non-US">ftp://non-US.debian.org/debian-non-US/README.non-US</a></code> +for a full list. These sites still exist (for the benefit of users of +<em>woody</em>) but its contents are no longer supported and are considered +obsolete. Please remove any mentions to non-US from your sources in your +<code>/etc/apt/sources.list</code> configuration file. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-pine"></a>4.10 Where is pine?</h2> + +<p> +Due to its restrictive license, it's in the non-free area. Moreover, since +license does not even allow modified binaries to be distributed, you have to +compile it yourself from the source and the Debian patches. +</p> + +<p> +The source package name is <code>pine</code>. You can use the +<code>pine-tracker</code> package to be notified about when you need to +upgrade. +</p> + +<p> +Note that there are many replacements for both pine and pico, such as +<code>mutt</code> and <code>nano</code>, that are located in the main section. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-qmail"></a>4.11 Where is qmail/ezmlm/djbdns?</h2> + +<p> +Dan J. Bernstein distributes <code><a href="http://cr.yp.to/software.html">all +software he has written</a></code> with a restrictive license, consequently, +it's in the non-free area. Since the license he uses does not allow modified +binaries to be distributed, you have to compile it yourself from the source and +the Debian patches to obtain a binary package you can install in your Debian +GNU/Linux system. +</p> + +<p> +The source package names are <code>qmail-src</code>, <code>ezmlm-src</code> and +<code>djbdns-installer</code>, respectively. +</p> + +<p> +For <code>qmail</code> you need to install <code>qmail-src</code> first and +then run <code>build-qmail</code> to build the Debian package. You also need +to do install the <code>ucspi-tcp-src</code> package to get ucspi-tcp, which +<code>qmail</code> depends on. +</p> + +<p> +Dan J. Bernstein maintains a <code><a +href="http://cr.yp.to/distributors.html">FAQ from distributors</a></code> page +if you are interested in reading his reasons (one of which is <code><a +href="http://cr.yp.to/compatibility.html">Cross-platform +compatibility</a></code>) +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ 4 ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-support.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-support.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..57e21da17 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-support.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,525 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Getting support for Debian GNU/Linux</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-support"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ 11 ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 11 - Getting support for Debian GNU/Linux +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-debiandocs"></a>11.1 What other documentation exists on and for a Debian system?</h2> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Installation instructions for the current release: see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual">http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux reference covers many aspects of system administration +through shell-command examples. Basic tutorials, tips, and other information +are provided for many different topics ranging from system administration to +programming. +</p> + +<p> +Get it from the <code>debian-reference</code> package, or at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#quick-reference">http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#quick-reference</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Policy manual documents the policy requirements for the distribution, i.e. the +structure and contents of the Debian archive, several design issues of the +operating system etc. It also includes the technical requirements that each +package must satisfy to be included in the distribution, and documents the +basic technical aspects of Debian binary and source packages. +</p> + +<p> +Get it from the <code>debian-policy</code> package, or at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/devel-manuals#policy">http://www.debian.org/doc/devel-manuals#policy</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Documentation developed by the Debian Documentation Project. It is available +at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/">http://www.debian.org/doc/</a></code> and +includes user guides, administration guides and security guides for the Debian +GNU/Linux operating system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Documentation on installed Debian packages: Most packages have files that are +unpacked into <samp>/usr/share/doc/PACKAGE</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Documentation on the Linux project: The Debian package <code>doc-linux</code> +installs all of the most recent versions of the HOWTOs and mini-HOWTOs from the +<code><a href="http://www.tldp.org/">Linux Documentation Project</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Unix-style `man' pages: Most commands have manual pages written in the style of +the original Unix 'man' files. They are referenced by the section of the 'man' +directory where they reside: e.g., foo(3) refers to a manual page which resides +in /usr/share/man/man3/, and it can be called by executing the command: +<samp>man 3 foo</samp>, or just <samp>man foo</samp> if section 3 is the first +one containing a page on <samp>foo</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +One can learn which directory of <samp>/usr/share/man/</samp> contains a +certain manual page by executing <samp>man -w foo</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +New Debian users should note that the 'man' pages of many general system +commands are not available until they install these packages: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>man-db</samp>, which contains the <samp>man</samp> program itself, and +other programs for manipulating the manual pages. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>manpages</samp>, which contains the system manual pages. (see <a +href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonenglish">How does Debian support non-English +languages?, Section 4.8</a>). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +GNU-style `info' pages: User documentation for many commands, particularly GNU +tools, is available not in `man' pages, but in `info' files which can be read +by the GNU tool <samp>info</samp>, by running <samp>M-x info</samp> within GNU +Emacs, or with some other Info page viewer. +</p> + +<p> +Its main advantage over the original `man' pages are that it is a hypertext +system. It does <em>not</em> require the WWW, however; <samp>info</samp> can +be run from a plain text console. It was designed by Richard Stallman and +preceded the WWW. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Note that you may access a lot of documentation on your system by using a WWW +browser, through `dwww', `dhelp' or `doccentral' commands, found in respective +packages. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-onlineresources"></a>11.2 Are there any on-line resources for discussing Debian?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. In fact, the main method of support Debian provides to our users is by +the way of e-mail. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s11.2.1"></a>11.2.1 Mailing lists</h3> + +<p> +There are a lot of <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/">Debian-related mailing +lists</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +On a system with the <code>doc-debian</code> package installed there is a +complete list of mailing lists in +<code>/usr/share/doc/debian/mailing-lists.txt</code>. +</p> + +<p> +Debian mailing lists are named following the pattern +debian-<var>list-subject</var>. Examples are debian-announce, debian-user, +debian-news. To subscribe to any list debian-<var>list-subject</var>, send +mail to debian-<var>list-subject</var>-request@lists.debian.org with the word +"subscribe" in the Subject: header. Be sure to remember to add +<em>-request</em> to the e-mail address when using this method to subscribe or +unsubscribe. Otherwise your e-mail will go to the list itself, which could be +embarrassing or annoying, depending on your point of view. +</p> + +<p> +If you have a forms-capable World Wide Web browser, you can subscribe to +mailing lists using the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/subscribe">WWW form</a></code>. You +can also un-subscribe using a <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/unsubscribe">WWW form</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +The list manager's e-mail address is <code><a +href="mailto:listmaster@lists.debian.org">listmaster@lists.debian.org</a></code>, +in case you have any trouble. +</p> + +<p> +The mailing lists are public forums. All e-mails sent to the lists are also +copied to the public archive, for anybody (even non-subscribers) to browse or +search. Please make sure you never send any confidential or unlicensed +material to the lists. This includes things like e-mail addresses. Of +particular note is the fact that spammers have been known to abuse e-mail +addresses posted to our mailing lists. See the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/index.en.html#disclaimer">Mailing +Lists Privacy policy</a></code> for more information. +</p> + +<p> +Archives of the Debian mailing lists are available via WWW at <code><a +href="http://lists.debian.org/">http://lists.debian.org/</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h4><a name="s-mailinglistconduct"></a>11.2.1.1 What is the code of conduct for the mailing lists?</h4> + +<p> +When using the Debian mailing lists, please follow these rules: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Do not send spam. See the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/#ads">Debian mailing list advertising +policy</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Do not flame; it is not polite. The people developing Debian are all +volunteers, donating their time, energy and money in an attempt to bring the +Debian project together. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Do not use foul language; besides, some people receive the lists via packet +radio, where swearing is illegal. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Make sure that you are using the proper list. <em>Never</em> post your +(un)subscription requests to the mailing list itself[<a +href="footnotes.en.html#f6" name="fr6">6</a>] +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +See section <a href="#s-bugreport">How do I report a bug in Debian?, Section +11.5</a> for notes on reporting bugs. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s11.2.2"></a>11.2.2 Maintainers</h3> + +<p> +Users can address questions to individual package maintainers using e-mail. To +reach a maintainer of a package called xyz, send e-mail to +<em>xyz@packages.debian.org</em>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s11.2.3"></a>11.2.3 Usenet newsgroups</h3> + +<p> +Users should post non-Debian-specific questions to one of the Linux USENET +groups, which are named comp.os.linux.* or linux.*. There are several lists of +Linux Usenet newsgroups and other related resources on the WWW, e.g. on the +<code><a href="http://www.linux.org/docs/usenet.html">Linux Online</a></code> +and <code><a +href="http://www.linuxjournal.com/helpdesk.php">LinuxJournal</a></code> sites. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-searchtools"></a>11.3 Is there a quick way to search for information on Debian GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +There is a variety of search engines that serve documentation related to +Debian: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a href="http://search.debian.org/">Debian WWW search site</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a href="http://groups.google.com/">Google Groups</a></code>: a search +engine for newsgroups. +</p> + +<p> +For example, to find out what experiences people have had with finding drivers +for Promise controllers under Debian, try searching on the phrase <samp>Promise +Linux driver</samp>. This will show you all the postings that contain these +strings, i.e. those where people discussed these topics. If you add +<samp>Debian</samp> to those search strings, you'll also get the postings +specifically related to Debian. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Any of the common web spidering engines, such as <code><a +href="http://www.altavista.com/">AltaVista</a></code> or <code><a +href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a></code>, as long as you use the right +search terms. +</p> + +<p> +For example, searching on the string "cgi-perl" gives a more detailed +explanation of this package than the brief description field in its control +file. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-buglogs"></a>11.4 Are there logs of known bugs?</h2> + +<p> +Reports on unsolved (and closed) issues are publicly available: Debian +promissed to do so by stating "We will not hide problems" in the +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract">Debian Social +Contract</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux distribution has a bug tracking system (BTS) which files +details of bugs reported by users and developers. Each bug is given a number, +and is kept on file until it is marked as having been dealt with. +</p> + +<p> +Copies of this information are available at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/Bugs/">http://www.debian.org/Bugs/</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +A mail server provides access to the bug tracking system database via e-mail. +In order to get the instructions, send an e-mail to request@bugs.debian.org +with "help" in the body. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-bugreport"></a>11.5 How do I report a bug in Debian?</h2> + +<p> +If you have found a bug in Debian, please read the instructions for reporting a +bug in Debian. These instructions can be obtained in one of several ways: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +By anonymous FTP. Debian mirror sites contain the instructions in the file +<samp>doc/bug-reporting.txt</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +From the WWW. A copy of the instructions is shown at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/Bugs/Reporting">http://www.debian.org/Bugs/Reporting</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +On any Debian system with the <code>doc-debian</code> package installed. The +instructions are in the file +<code>/usr/share/doc/debian/bug-reporting.txt</code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +You can use the package <code>reportbug</code> that will guide you through the +reporting process and mail the message to the proper address, with some extra +details about your system added automatically. It will also show you a list of +bugs already reported to the package you are reporting against in case your bug +has been reported previously, so that you can additional information to the +existing bug report. +</p> + +<p> +If you want to mail the report with an e-mail program, send a message to +<code><a +href="mailto:submit@bugs.debian.org">submit@bugs.debian.org</a></code>. The +message's first line must be similar to +</p> + +<pre> + Package: package-name +</pre> + +<p> +(replace <var>package-name</var> with the name of the package). The next line +should relate the package version number in a similar way: +</p> + +<pre> + Version: version-number +</pre> + +<p> +The version number for any package installed on your system can be obtained +using the command line +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg -s <var>package-name</var> +</pre> + +<p> +This section is referred to as the pseudo-header. The rest of the message +should contain the description of the bug (please make it moderately detailed), +the Debian release you are using, and versions of other relevant packages. The +Debian release number will be displayed by the command +</p> + +<pre> + cat /etc/debian_version +</pre> + +<p> +Expect to get an automatic acknowledgement of your bug report. It will also be +automatically given a bug tracking number, entered into the bug log and +forwarded to the debian-bugs-dist mailing list. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ 11 ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-support.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-support.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..57e21da17 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-support.html @@ -0,0 +1,525 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Getting support for Debian GNU/Linux</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-support"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ 11 ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 11 - Getting support for Debian GNU/Linux +</h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-debiandocs"></a>11.1 What other documentation exists on and for a Debian system?</h2> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Installation instructions for the current release: see <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual">http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/installmanual</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux reference covers many aspects of system administration +through shell-command examples. Basic tutorials, tips, and other information +are provided for many different topics ranging from system administration to +programming. +</p> + +<p> +Get it from the <code>debian-reference</code> package, or at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#quick-reference">http://www.debian.org/doc/user-manuals#quick-reference</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Policy manual documents the policy requirements for the distribution, i.e. the +structure and contents of the Debian archive, several design issues of the +operating system etc. It also includes the technical requirements that each +package must satisfy to be included in the distribution, and documents the +basic technical aspects of Debian binary and source packages. +</p> + +<p> +Get it from the <code>debian-policy</code> package, or at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/devel-manuals#policy">http://www.debian.org/doc/devel-manuals#policy</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Documentation developed by the Debian Documentation Project. It is available +at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/doc/">http://www.debian.org/doc/</a></code> and +includes user guides, administration guides and security guides for the Debian +GNU/Linux operating system. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Documentation on installed Debian packages: Most packages have files that are +unpacked into <samp>/usr/share/doc/PACKAGE</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Documentation on the Linux project: The Debian package <code>doc-linux</code> +installs all of the most recent versions of the HOWTOs and mini-HOWTOs from the +<code><a href="http://www.tldp.org/">Linux Documentation Project</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Unix-style `man' pages: Most commands have manual pages written in the style of +the original Unix 'man' files. They are referenced by the section of the 'man' +directory where they reside: e.g., foo(3) refers to a manual page which resides +in /usr/share/man/man3/, and it can be called by executing the command: +<samp>man 3 foo</samp>, or just <samp>man foo</samp> if section 3 is the first +one containing a page on <samp>foo</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +One can learn which directory of <samp>/usr/share/man/</samp> contains a +certain manual page by executing <samp>man -w foo</samp>. +</p> + +<p> +New Debian users should note that the 'man' pages of many general system +commands are not available until they install these packages: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>man-db</samp>, which contains the <samp>man</samp> program itself, and +other programs for manipulating the manual pages. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<samp>manpages</samp>, which contains the system manual pages. (see <a +href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonenglish">How does Debian support non-English +languages?, Section 4.8</a>). +</p> +</li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +GNU-style `info' pages: User documentation for many commands, particularly GNU +tools, is available not in `man' pages, but in `info' files which can be read +by the GNU tool <samp>info</samp>, by running <samp>M-x info</samp> within GNU +Emacs, or with some other Info page viewer. +</p> + +<p> +Its main advantage over the original `man' pages are that it is a hypertext +system. It does <em>not</em> require the WWW, however; <samp>info</samp> can +be run from a plain text console. It was designed by Richard Stallman and +preceded the WWW. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +Note that you may access a lot of documentation on your system by using a WWW +browser, through `dwww', `dhelp' or `doccentral' commands, found in respective +packages. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-onlineresources"></a>11.2 Are there any on-line resources for discussing Debian?</h2> + +<p> +Yes. In fact, the main method of support Debian provides to our users is by +the way of e-mail. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s11.2.1"></a>11.2.1 Mailing lists</h3> + +<p> +There are a lot of <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/">Debian-related mailing +lists</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +On a system with the <code>doc-debian</code> package installed there is a +complete list of mailing lists in +<code>/usr/share/doc/debian/mailing-lists.txt</code>. +</p> + +<p> +Debian mailing lists are named following the pattern +debian-<var>list-subject</var>. Examples are debian-announce, debian-user, +debian-news. To subscribe to any list debian-<var>list-subject</var>, send +mail to debian-<var>list-subject</var>-request@lists.debian.org with the word +"subscribe" in the Subject: header. Be sure to remember to add +<em>-request</em> to the e-mail address when using this method to subscribe or +unsubscribe. Otherwise your e-mail will go to the list itself, which could be +embarrassing or annoying, depending on your point of view. +</p> + +<p> +If you have a forms-capable World Wide Web browser, you can subscribe to +mailing lists using the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/subscribe">WWW form</a></code>. You +can also un-subscribe using a <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/unsubscribe">WWW form</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +The list manager's e-mail address is <code><a +href="mailto:listmaster@lists.debian.org">listmaster@lists.debian.org</a></code>, +in case you have any trouble. +</p> + +<p> +The mailing lists are public forums. All e-mails sent to the lists are also +copied to the public archive, for anybody (even non-subscribers) to browse or +search. Please make sure you never send any confidential or unlicensed +material to the lists. This includes things like e-mail addresses. Of +particular note is the fact that spammers have been known to abuse e-mail +addresses posted to our mailing lists. See the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/index.en.html#disclaimer">Mailing +Lists Privacy policy</a></code> for more information. +</p> + +<p> +Archives of the Debian mailing lists are available via WWW at <code><a +href="http://lists.debian.org/">http://lists.debian.org/</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h4><a name="s-mailinglistconduct"></a>11.2.1.1 What is the code of conduct for the mailing lists?</h4> + +<p> +When using the Debian mailing lists, please follow these rules: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Do not send spam. See the <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/#ads">Debian mailing list advertising +policy</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Do not flame; it is not polite. The people developing Debian are all +volunteers, donating their time, energy and money in an attempt to bring the +Debian project together. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Do not use foul language; besides, some people receive the lists via packet +radio, where swearing is illegal. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Make sure that you are using the proper list. <em>Never</em> post your +(un)subscription requests to the mailing list itself[<a +href="footnotes.en.html#f6" name="fr6">6</a>] +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +See section <a href="#s-bugreport">How do I report a bug in Debian?, Section +11.5</a> for notes on reporting bugs. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s11.2.2"></a>11.2.2 Maintainers</h3> + +<p> +Users can address questions to individual package maintainers using e-mail. To +reach a maintainer of a package called xyz, send e-mail to +<em>xyz@packages.debian.org</em>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s11.2.3"></a>11.2.3 Usenet newsgroups</h3> + +<p> +Users should post non-Debian-specific questions to one of the Linux USENET +groups, which are named comp.os.linux.* or linux.*. There are several lists of +Linux Usenet newsgroups and other related resources on the WWW, e.g. on the +<code><a href="http://www.linux.org/docs/usenet.html">Linux Online</a></code> +and <code><a +href="http://www.linuxjournal.com/helpdesk.php">LinuxJournal</a></code> sites. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-searchtools"></a>11.3 Is there a quick way to search for information on Debian GNU/Linux?</h2> + +<p> +There is a variety of search engines that serve documentation related to +Debian: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a href="http://search.debian.org/">Debian WWW search site</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a href="http://groups.google.com/">Google Groups</a></code>: a search +engine for newsgroups. +</p> + +<p> +For example, to find out what experiences people have had with finding drivers +for Promise controllers under Debian, try searching on the phrase <samp>Promise +Linux driver</samp>. This will show you all the postings that contain these +strings, i.e. those where people discussed these topics. If you add +<samp>Debian</samp> to those search strings, you'll also get the postings +specifically related to Debian. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Any of the common web spidering engines, such as <code><a +href="http://www.altavista.com/">AltaVista</a></code> or <code><a +href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a></code>, as long as you use the right +search terms. +</p> + +<p> +For example, searching on the string "cgi-perl" gives a more detailed +explanation of this package than the brief description field in its control +file. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-buglogs"></a>11.4 Are there logs of known bugs?</h2> + +<p> +Reports on unsolved (and closed) issues are publicly available: Debian +promissed to do so by stating "We will not hide problems" in the +<code><a href="http://www.debian.org/social_contract">Debian Social +Contract</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux distribution has a bug tracking system (BTS) which files +details of bugs reported by users and developers. Each bug is given a number, +and is kept on file until it is marked as having been dealt with. +</p> + +<p> +Copies of this information are available at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/Bugs/">http://www.debian.org/Bugs/</a></code>. +</p> + +<p> +A mail server provides access to the bug tracking system database via e-mail. +In order to get the instructions, send an e-mail to request@bugs.debian.org +with "help" in the body. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-bugreport"></a>11.5 How do I report a bug in Debian?</h2> + +<p> +If you have found a bug in Debian, please read the instructions for reporting a +bug in Debian. These instructions can be obtained in one of several ways: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +By anonymous FTP. Debian mirror sites contain the instructions in the file +<samp>doc/bug-reporting.txt</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +From the WWW. A copy of the instructions is shown at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/Bugs/Reporting">http://www.debian.org/Bugs/Reporting</a></code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +On any Debian system with the <code>doc-debian</code> package installed. The +instructions are in the file +<code>/usr/share/doc/debian/bug-reporting.txt</code>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<p> +You can use the package <code>reportbug</code> that will guide you through the +reporting process and mail the message to the proper address, with some extra +details about your system added automatically. It will also show you a list of +bugs already reported to the package you are reporting against in case your bug +has been reported previously, so that you can additional information to the +existing bug report. +</p> + +<p> +If you want to mail the report with an e-mail program, send a message to +<code><a +href="mailto:submit@bugs.debian.org">submit@bugs.debian.org</a></code>. The +message's first line must be similar to +</p> + +<pre> + Package: package-name +</pre> + +<p> +(replace <var>package-name</var> with the name of the package). The next line +should relate the package version number in a similar way: +</p> + +<pre> + Version: version-number +</pre> + +<p> +The version number for any package installed on your system can be obtained +using the command line +</p> + +<pre> + dpkg -s <var>package-name</var> +</pre> + +<p> +This section is referred to as the pseudo-header. The rest of the message +should contain the description of the bug (please make it moderately detailed), +the Debian release you are using, and versions of other relevant packages. The +Debian release number will be displayed by the command +</p> + +<pre> + cat /etc/debian_version +</pre> + +<p> +Expect to get an automatic acknowledgement of your bug report. It will also be +automatically given a bug tracking number, entered into the bug log and +forwarded to the debian-bugs-dist mailing list. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ 11 ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-uptodate.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-uptodate.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..b271f29f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-uptodate.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,479 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Keeping your Debian system up-to-date</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-uptodate"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ 8 ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 8 - Keeping your Debian system up-to-date +</h1> + +<hr> + +<p> +A Debian goal is to provide a consistent upgrade path and a secure upgrade +process. We always do our best to make upgrading to new releases a smooth +procedure. In case there's some important note to add to the upgrade process, +the packages will alert the user, and often provide a solution to a possible +problem. +</p> + +<p> +You should also read the Release Notes document that describes the details of +specific upgrades. It is shipped on all Debian CDs and available on the WWW at +<code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/releasenotes">http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/releasenotes</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-libc5to6upgrade"></a>8.1 How can I upgrade my Debian 1.3.1 (or earlier) distribution, based on libc5, to 2.0 (or later), based on libc6?</h2> + +<p> +There are several ways to upgrade: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Using a simple shell script called <samp>autoup.sh</samp> which upgrades the +most important packages. After <samp>autoup.sh</samp> has done his job, you +may use dselect to install the remaining packages <em>en masse</em>. This is +probably the recommended method, but not the only one. +</p> + +<p> +Currently, the latest release of <samp>autoup.sh</samp> may be found on the +following locations: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/2.0/autoup/">http://www.debian.org/releases/2.0/autoup/</a></code> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a +href="http://www.taz.net.au/autoup/">http://www.taz.net.au/autoup/</a></code> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a +href="http://debian.vicnet.net.au/autoup/">http://debian.vicnet.net.au/autoup/</a></code> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Following closely the <code><a +href="http://debian.vicnet.net.au/autoup/HOWTO/libc5-libc6-Mini-HOWTO.html">Debian +libc5 to libc6 Mini-HOWTO</a></code> and upgrade the most important packages by +hand. <samp>autoup.sh</samp> is based on this Mini-HOWTO, so this method +should work more or less like using <samp>autoup.sh</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Using a libc5-based <samp>apt</samp>. APT stands for Advanced Package Tool, +and it might replace dselect some day. Currently, it works just as a +command-line interface, or as a dselect access method. You will find a libc5 +version in the <samp>dists/slink/main/upgrade-older-i386</samp> directory at +the Debian archives. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Using just dselect, without upgrading any package by hand first. It is highly +recommended that you do NOT use this method if you can avoid it, because +dselect alone currently does not install packages in the optimal order. APT +works much better and it is safer. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-howtocurrent"></a>8.2 How can I keep my Debian system current?</h2> + +<p> +One could simply execute an anonymous ftp call to a Debian archive, then peruse +the directories until one finds the desired file, and then fetch it, and +finally install it using <samp>dpkg</samp>. Note that <samp>dpkg</samp> will +install upgrade files in place, even on a running system. Sometimes, a revised +package will require the installation of a newly revised version of another +package, in which case the installation will fail until/unless the other +package is installed. +</p> + +<p> +Many people find this approach much too time-consuming, since Debian evolves so +quickly -- typically, a dozen or more new packages are uploaded every week. +This number is larger just before a new major release. To deal with this +avalanche, many people prefer to use a more automated method. Several +different packages are available for this purpose: +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-aptitude-upgrade"></a>8.2.1 aptitude</h3> + +<p> +APT is an advanced interface to the Debian packaging system. It features +complete installation ordering, multiple source capability and several other +unique features, see the User's Guide in +<samp>/usr/share/doc/apt-doc/guide.html/index.html</samp> (you will have to +install the <samp>apt-doc</samp> package). +</p> + +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> is the recommended package manager for Debian GNU/Linux +systems. It is a text-based interface to APT using the curses library, and can +be used to perform management tasks in a fast and easy way. +</p> + +<p> +Before you can use <code>aptitude</code>, you'll have to edit the +<samp>/etc/apt/sources.list</samp> file to set it up. If you wish to upgrade +to the latest stable version of Debian, you'll probably want to use a source +like this one: +</p> + +<pre> + http://http.us.debian.org/debian stable main contrib non-free +</pre> + +<p> +You can replace http.us.debian.org with the name of a faster Debian mirror near +you. See the mirror list at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/misc/README.mirrors">http://www.debian.org/misc/README.mirrors</a></code> +for more information. +</p> + +<p> +More details on this can be found in the <code>sources.list(8)</code> manual +page. +</p> + +<p> +To update your system, run +</p> + +<pre> + aptitude update +</pre> + +<p> +followed by +</p> + +<pre> + aptitude dist-upgrade +</pre> + +<p> +Answer any questions that might come up, and your system will be upgraded. See +also <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-aptitude">aptitude, Section 7.1.3</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-apt"></a>8.2.2 apt-get, dselect and apt-cdrom</h3> + +<p> +<code>apt-get</code> is an APT-based command-line tool for handling packages, +and the APT dselect method is an interface to APT through <code>dselect</code>. +Both of these provide a simple, safe way to install and upgrade packages. +</p> + +<p> +To use <code>apt-get</code>, install the <code>apt</code> package, and edit the +<samp>/etc/apt/sources.list</samp> file to set it up, just as for <a +href="#s-aptitude-upgrade">aptitude, Section 8.2.1</a>. +</p> + +<p> +Then run +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get update +</pre> + +<p> +followed by +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get dist-upgrade +</pre> + +<p> +Answer any questions that might come up, and your system will be upgraded. See +also the <code>apt-get(8)</code> manual page, as well as <a +href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-apt-get">APT, Section 7.1.2</a>. +</p> + +<p> +To use APT with <code>dselect</code>, choose the APT access method in dselect's +method selection screen (option 0) and then specify the sources that should be +used. The configuration file is <code>/etc/apt/sources.list</code>. See also +<a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dselect">dselect, Section 7.1.4</a>. +</p> + +<p> +If you want to use CDs to install packages, you can use <code>apt-cdrom</code>. +For details, please see the Release Notes, section "Setting up for an +upgrade from a local mirror". +</p> + +<p> +Please note that when you get and install the packages, you'll still have them +kept in your /var directory hierarchy. To keep your partition from +overflowing, remember to delete extra files using <samp>apt-get clean</samp> +and <samp>apt-get autoclean</samp>, or to move them someplace else (hint: use +<code>apt-move</code>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dpkg-ftp"></a>8.2.3 dpkg-ftp</h3> + +<p> +This is an older access method for <code>dselect</code>. It can be invoked +from within <code>dselect</code>, thereby allowing a user the ability to +download files and install them directly in one step. To do this, select the +<samp>ftp</samp> access method in <code>dselect</code> (option 0) and specify +the remote host name and directory. <code>dpkg-ftp</code> will then +automatically download the files that are selected (either in this session of +<code>dselect</code> or earlier ones). +</p> + +<p> +Note that, unlike the <code>mirror</code> program, <code>dpkg-ftp</code> does +not grab everything at a mirror site. Rather, it downloads only those files +which you have selected (when first starting up <code>dpkg-ftp</code>), and +which need to be updated. +</p> + +<p> +<code>dpkg-ftp</code> is somewhat obsolete. You should use the APT access +method with ftp:// URLs in <code>sources.list</code> instead. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-mirror"></a>8.2.4 mirror</h3> + +<p> +This Perl script, and its (optional) manager program called +<code>mirror-master</code>, can be used to fetch user-specified parts of a +directory tree from a specified host <em>via</em> anonymous FTP. +</p> + +<p> +<code>mirror</code> is particularly useful for downloading large volumes of +software. After the first time files have been downloaded from a site, a file +called <samp>.mirrorinfo</samp> is stored on the local host. Changes to the +remote file system are tracked automatically by <code>mirror</code>, which +compares this file to a similar file on the remote system and downloads only +changed files. +</p> + +<p> +The <code>mirror</code> program is generally useful for updating local copies +of remote directory trees. The files fetched need not be Debian files. (Since +<code>mirror</code> is a Perl script, it can also run on non-Unix systems.) +Though the <code>mirror</code> program provides mechanisms for excluding files +names of which match user-specified strings, this program is most useful when +the objective is to download whole directory trees, rather than selected +packages. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dpkg-mountable"></a>8.2.5 dpkg-mountable</h3> + +<p> +dpkg-mountable adds an access method called `mountable' to dselect's list, +which allows you to install from any file system specified in /etc/fstab. For +example, the archive could be a normal hard disk partition or an NFS server, +which it will automatically mount and umount for you if necessary. +</p> + +<p> +It also has some extra features not found in the standard dselect methods, such +as provision for a local file tree (either parallel to the main distribution or +totally separate), and only getting packages which are required, rather than +the time-consuming recursive directory scan, as well as logging of all dpkg +actions in the install method. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-upgradesingle"></a>8.3 Must I go into single user mode in order to upgrade a package?</h2> + +<p> +No. Packages can be upgraded in place, even in running systems. Debian has a +<samp>start-stop-daemon</samp> program that is invoked to stop, then restart +running process if necessary during a package upgrade. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-savedebs"></a>8.4 Do I have to keep all those .deb archive files on my disk?</h2> + +<p> +No. If you have downloaded the files to your disk (which is not absolutely +necessary, see above for the description of dpkg-ftp), then after you have +installed the packages, you can remove them from your system. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-keepingalog"></a>8.5 How can I keep a log of the packages I added to the system? I'd like to know when which package upgrades and removals have occured!</h2> + +<p> +Passing the <samp>--log</samp>-option to <code>dpkg</code> makes +<code>dpkg</code> log status change updates and actions. It logs both the +<code>dpkg</code>-invokation (e.g. +</p> + +<pre> + 2005-12-30 18:10:33 install hello 1.3.18 2.1.1-4 +</pre> + +<p> +) and the results (e.g. +</p> + +<pre> + 2005-12-30 18:10:35 status installed hello 2.1.1-4 +</pre> + +<p> +) If you'd like to log all your <code>dpkg</code> invokations (even those done +using frontends like <code>aptitude</code>), you could add +</p> + +<pre> + log /var/log/dpkg.log +</pre> + +<p> +to your <code>/etc/dpkg/dpkg.cfg</code>. Be sure the created logfile gets +rotated periodically. If you're using <code>logrotate</code>, this can be +achieved by creating a file <code>/etc/logrotate.d/dpkg</code> with contents +</p> + +<pre> + /var/log/dpkg { + missingok + notifempty + } +</pre> + +<p> +More details on <code>dpkg</code> logging can be found in the +<code>dpkg(1)</code> manual page. +</p> + +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> logs the package installations, removals, and upgrades +that it intends to perform to <code>/var/log/aptitude</code>. Note that the +<em>results</em> of those actions are not recorded in this file! +</p> + +<p> +Another way to record your actions is to run your package management session +within the <code>script(1)</code> program. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ 8 ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-uptodate.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-uptodate.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..b271f29f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/ch-uptodate.html @@ -0,0 +1,479 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Keeping your Debian system up-to-date</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="ch-uptodate"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ 8 ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Chapter 8 - Keeping your Debian system up-to-date +</h1> + +<hr> + +<p> +A Debian goal is to provide a consistent upgrade path and a secure upgrade +process. We always do our best to make upgrading to new releases a smooth +procedure. In case there's some important note to add to the upgrade process, +the packages will alert the user, and often provide a solution to a possible +problem. +</p> + +<p> +You should also read the Release Notes document that describes the details of +specific upgrades. It is shipped on all Debian CDs and available on the WWW at +<code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/releasenotes">http://www.debian.org/releases/stable/releasenotes</a></code>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-libc5to6upgrade"></a>8.1 How can I upgrade my Debian 1.3.1 (or earlier) distribution, based on libc5, to 2.0 (or later), based on libc6?</h2> + +<p> +There are several ways to upgrade: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Using a simple shell script called <samp>autoup.sh</samp> which upgrades the +most important packages. After <samp>autoup.sh</samp> has done his job, you +may use dselect to install the remaining packages <em>en masse</em>. This is +probably the recommended method, but not the only one. +</p> + +<p> +Currently, the latest release of <samp>autoup.sh</samp> may be found on the +following locations: +</p> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/releases/2.0/autoup/">http://www.debian.org/releases/2.0/autoup/</a></code> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a +href="http://www.taz.net.au/autoup/">http://www.taz.net.au/autoup/</a></code> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +<code><a +href="http://debian.vicnet.net.au/autoup/">http://debian.vicnet.net.au/autoup/</a></code> +</p> +</li> +</ul> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Following closely the <code><a +href="http://debian.vicnet.net.au/autoup/HOWTO/libc5-libc6-Mini-HOWTO.html">Debian +libc5 to libc6 Mini-HOWTO</a></code> and upgrade the most important packages by +hand. <samp>autoup.sh</samp> is based on this Mini-HOWTO, so this method +should work more or less like using <samp>autoup.sh</samp>. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Using a libc5-based <samp>apt</samp>. APT stands for Advanced Package Tool, +and it might replace dselect some day. Currently, it works just as a +command-line interface, or as a dselect access method. You will find a libc5 +version in the <samp>dists/slink/main/upgrade-older-i386</samp> directory at +the Debian archives. +</p> +</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li> +<p> +Using just dselect, without upgrading any package by hand first. It is highly +recommended that you do NOT use this method if you can avoid it, because +dselect alone currently does not install packages in the optimal order. APT +works much better and it is safer. +</p> +</li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-howtocurrent"></a>8.2 How can I keep my Debian system current?</h2> + +<p> +One could simply execute an anonymous ftp call to a Debian archive, then peruse +the directories until one finds the desired file, and then fetch it, and +finally install it using <samp>dpkg</samp>. Note that <samp>dpkg</samp> will +install upgrade files in place, even on a running system. Sometimes, a revised +package will require the installation of a newly revised version of another +package, in which case the installation will fail until/unless the other +package is installed. +</p> + +<p> +Many people find this approach much too time-consuming, since Debian evolves so +quickly -- typically, a dozen or more new packages are uploaded every week. +This number is larger just before a new major release. To deal with this +avalanche, many people prefer to use a more automated method. Several +different packages are available for this purpose: +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-aptitude-upgrade"></a>8.2.1 aptitude</h3> + +<p> +APT is an advanced interface to the Debian packaging system. It features +complete installation ordering, multiple source capability and several other +unique features, see the User's Guide in +<samp>/usr/share/doc/apt-doc/guide.html/index.html</samp> (you will have to +install the <samp>apt-doc</samp> package). +</p> + +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> is the recommended package manager for Debian GNU/Linux +systems. It is a text-based interface to APT using the curses library, and can +be used to perform management tasks in a fast and easy way. +</p> + +<p> +Before you can use <code>aptitude</code>, you'll have to edit the +<samp>/etc/apt/sources.list</samp> file to set it up. If you wish to upgrade +to the latest stable version of Debian, you'll probably want to use a source +like this one: +</p> + +<pre> + http://http.us.debian.org/debian stable main contrib non-free +</pre> + +<p> +You can replace http.us.debian.org with the name of a faster Debian mirror near +you. See the mirror list at <code><a +href="http://www.debian.org/misc/README.mirrors">http://www.debian.org/misc/README.mirrors</a></code> +for more information. +</p> + +<p> +More details on this can be found in the <code>sources.list(8)</code> manual +page. +</p> + +<p> +To update your system, run +</p> + +<pre> + aptitude update +</pre> + +<p> +followed by +</p> + +<pre> + aptitude dist-upgrade +</pre> + +<p> +Answer any questions that might come up, and your system will be upgraded. See +also <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-aptitude">aptitude, Section 7.1.3</a>. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-apt"></a>8.2.2 apt-get, dselect and apt-cdrom</h3> + +<p> +<code>apt-get</code> is an APT-based command-line tool for handling packages, +and the APT dselect method is an interface to APT through <code>dselect</code>. +Both of these provide a simple, safe way to install and upgrade packages. +</p> + +<p> +To use <code>apt-get</code>, install the <code>apt</code> package, and edit the +<samp>/etc/apt/sources.list</samp> file to set it up, just as for <a +href="#s-aptitude-upgrade">aptitude, Section 8.2.1</a>. +</p> + +<p> +Then run +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get update +</pre> + +<p> +followed by +</p> + +<pre> + apt-get dist-upgrade +</pre> + +<p> +Answer any questions that might come up, and your system will be upgraded. See +also the <code>apt-get(8)</code> manual page, as well as <a +href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-apt-get">APT, Section 7.1.2</a>. +</p> + +<p> +To use APT with <code>dselect</code>, choose the APT access method in dselect's +method selection screen (option 0) and then specify the sources that should be +used. The configuration file is <code>/etc/apt/sources.list</code>. See also +<a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dselect">dselect, Section 7.1.4</a>. +</p> + +<p> +If you want to use CDs to install packages, you can use <code>apt-cdrom</code>. +For details, please see the Release Notes, section "Setting up for an +upgrade from a local mirror". +</p> + +<p> +Please note that when you get and install the packages, you'll still have them +kept in your /var directory hierarchy. To keep your partition from +overflowing, remember to delete extra files using <samp>apt-get clean</samp> +and <samp>apt-get autoclean</samp>, or to move them someplace else (hint: use +<code>apt-move</code>). +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dpkg-ftp"></a>8.2.3 dpkg-ftp</h3> + +<p> +This is an older access method for <code>dselect</code>. It can be invoked +from within <code>dselect</code>, thereby allowing a user the ability to +download files and install them directly in one step. To do this, select the +<samp>ftp</samp> access method in <code>dselect</code> (option 0) and specify +the remote host name and directory. <code>dpkg-ftp</code> will then +automatically download the files that are selected (either in this session of +<code>dselect</code> or earlier ones). +</p> + +<p> +Note that, unlike the <code>mirror</code> program, <code>dpkg-ftp</code> does +not grab everything at a mirror site. Rather, it downloads only those files +which you have selected (when first starting up <code>dpkg-ftp</code>), and +which need to be updated. +</p> + +<p> +<code>dpkg-ftp</code> is somewhat obsolete. You should use the APT access +method with ftp:// URLs in <code>sources.list</code> instead. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-mirror"></a>8.2.4 mirror</h3> + +<p> +This Perl script, and its (optional) manager program called +<code>mirror-master</code>, can be used to fetch user-specified parts of a +directory tree from a specified host <em>via</em> anonymous FTP. +</p> + +<p> +<code>mirror</code> is particularly useful for downloading large volumes of +software. After the first time files have been downloaded from a site, a file +called <samp>.mirrorinfo</samp> is stored on the local host. Changes to the +remote file system are tracked automatically by <code>mirror</code>, which +compares this file to a similar file on the remote system and downloads only +changed files. +</p> + +<p> +The <code>mirror</code> program is generally useful for updating local copies +of remote directory trees. The files fetched need not be Debian files. (Since +<code>mirror</code> is a Perl script, it can also run on non-Unix systems.) +Though the <code>mirror</code> program provides mechanisms for excluding files +names of which match user-specified strings, this program is most useful when +the objective is to download whole directory trees, rather than selected +packages. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h3><a name="s-dpkg-mountable"></a>8.2.5 dpkg-mountable</h3> + +<p> +dpkg-mountable adds an access method called `mountable' to dselect's list, +which allows you to install from any file system specified in /etc/fstab. For +example, the archive could be a normal hard disk partition or an NFS server, +which it will automatically mount and umount for you if necessary. +</p> + +<p> +It also has some extra features not found in the standard dselect methods, such +as provision for a local file tree (either parallel to the main distribution or +totally separate), and only getting packages which are required, rather than +the time-consuming recursive directory scan, as well as logging of all dpkg +actions in the install method. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-upgradesingle"></a>8.3 Must I go into single user mode in order to upgrade a package?</h2> + +<p> +No. Packages can be upgraded in place, even in running systems. Debian has a +<samp>start-stop-daemon</samp> program that is invoked to stop, then restart +running process if necessary during a package upgrade. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-savedebs"></a>8.4 Do I have to keep all those .deb archive files on my disk?</h2> + +<p> +No. If you have downloaded the files to your disk (which is not absolutely +necessary, see above for the description of dpkg-ftp), then after you have +installed the packages, you can remove them from your system. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="s-keepingalog"></a>8.5 How can I keep a log of the packages I added to the system? I'd like to know when which package upgrades and removals have occured!</h2> + +<p> +Passing the <samp>--log</samp>-option to <code>dpkg</code> makes +<code>dpkg</code> log status change updates and actions. It logs both the +<code>dpkg</code>-invokation (e.g. +</p> + +<pre> + 2005-12-30 18:10:33 install hello 1.3.18 2.1.1-4 +</pre> + +<p> +) and the results (e.g. +</p> + +<pre> + 2005-12-30 18:10:35 status installed hello 2.1.1-4 +</pre> + +<p> +) If you'd like to log all your <code>dpkg</code> invokations (even those done +using frontends like <code>aptitude</code>), you could add +</p> + +<pre> + log /var/log/dpkg.log +</pre> + +<p> +to your <code>/etc/dpkg/dpkg.cfg</code>. Be sure the created logfile gets +rotated periodically. If you're using <code>logrotate</code>, this can be +achieved by creating a file <code>/etc/logrotate.d/dpkg</code> with contents +</p> + +<pre> + /var/log/dpkg { + missingok + notifempty + } +</pre> + +<p> +More details on <code>dpkg</code> logging can be found in the +<code>dpkg(1)</code> manual page. +</p> + +<p> +<code>aptitude</code> logs the package installations, removals, and upgrades +that it intends to perform to <code>/var/log/aptitude</code>. Note that the +<em>results</em> of those actions are not recorded in this file! +</p> + +<p> +Another way to record your actions is to run your package management session +within the <code>script(1)</code> program. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="index.en.html#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ 8 ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/footnotes.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/footnotes.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..0d5b7d4c5 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/footnotes.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,112 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Footnotes</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Footnotes</h1> + +<h2><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#fr1" name="f1">1</a></h2> + +<p> +When the present-day sid did not exist, the FTP site organization had one major +flaw: there was an assumption that when an architecture is created in the +current unstable, it will be released when that distribution becomes the new +stable. For many architectures that isn't the case, with the result that those +directories had to be moved at release time. This was impractical because the +move would chew up lots of bandwidth. +</p> + +<p> +The archive administrators worked around this problem for several years by +placing binaries for unreleased architectures in a special directory called +"sid". For those architectures not yet released, the first time they +were released there was a link from the current stable to sid, and from then on +they were created inside the unstable tree as normal. This layout was somewhat +confusing to users. +</p> + +<p> +With the advent of package pools (see <a href="#s-pools">What's in the +<samp>pool</samp> directory?, Section 5.10</a>), binary packages began to be +stored in a canonical location in the pool, regardless of the distribution, so +releasing a distribution no longer causes large bandwidth consumption on the +mirrors (there is, however, a lot of gradual bandwidth consumption throughout +the development process). +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#fr2" name="f2">2</a></h2> + +<p> +<samp>dists/stable/main</samp>, <samp>dists/stable/contrib</samp>, +<samp>dists/stable/non-free</samp>, and <samp>dists/unstable/main/</samp>, etc. +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#fr3" name="f3">3</a></h2> + +<p> +Historically, packages were kept in the subdirectory of <samp>dists</samp> +corresponding to which distribution contained them. This turned out to cause +various problems, such as large bandwidth consumption on mirrors when major +changes were made. This was fixed with the introduction of the package pool. +</p> + +<p> +The <samp>dists</samp> directories are still used for the index files used by +programs like <samp>apt</samp>. You may also still see paths containing +<samp>dists/potato</samp> or <samp>dists/woody</samp> in the Filename header +field of some older packages. +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#fr4" name="f4">4</a></h2> + +<p> +Notice that there are ports that make this tool available with other package +management systems, like Red Hat package manager, also known as +<code>rpm</code> +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#fr5" name="f5">5</a></h2> + +<p> +Although this can also lead to systems with more packages installed than they +actually need to work. +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-support.en.html#fr6" name="f6">6</a></h2> + +<p> +Use the debian-<var>list-subject</var>-REQUEST@lists.debian.org address for +that. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/footnotes.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/footnotes.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..0d5b7d4c5 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/footnotes.html @@ -0,0 +1,112 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ - Footnotes</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br>Footnotes</h1> + +<h2><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#fr1" name="f1">1</a></h2> + +<p> +When the present-day sid did not exist, the FTP site organization had one major +flaw: there was an assumption that when an architecture is created in the +current unstable, it will be released when that distribution becomes the new +stable. For many architectures that isn't the case, with the result that those +directories had to be moved at release time. This was impractical because the +move would chew up lots of bandwidth. +</p> + +<p> +The archive administrators worked around this problem for several years by +placing binaries for unreleased architectures in a special directory called +"sid". For those architectures not yet released, the first time they +were released there was a link from the current stable to sid, and from then on +they were created inside the unstable tree as normal. This layout was somewhat +confusing to users. +</p> + +<p> +With the advent of package pools (see <a href="#s-pools">What's in the +<samp>pool</samp> directory?, Section 5.10</a>), binary packages began to be +stored in a canonical location in the pool, regardless of the distribution, so +releasing a distribution no longer causes large bandwidth consumption on the +mirrors (there is, however, a lot of gradual bandwidth consumption throughout +the development process). +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#fr2" name="f2">2</a></h2> + +<p> +<samp>dists/stable/main</samp>, <samp>dists/stable/contrib</samp>, +<samp>dists/stable/non-free</samp>, and <samp>dists/unstable/main/</samp>, etc. +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#fr3" name="f3">3</a></h2> + +<p> +Historically, packages were kept in the subdirectory of <samp>dists</samp> +corresponding to which distribution contained them. This turned out to cause +various problems, such as large bandwidth consumption on mirrors when major +changes were made. This was fixed with the introduction of the package pool. +</p> + +<p> +The <samp>dists</samp> directories are still used for the index files used by +programs like <samp>apt</samp>. You may also still see paths containing +<samp>dists/potato</samp> or <samp>dists/woody</samp> in the Filename header +field of some older packages. +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#fr4" name="f4">4</a></h2> + +<p> +Notice that there are ports that make this tool available with other package +management systems, like Red Hat package manager, also known as +<code>rpm</code> +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#fr5" name="f5">5</a></h2> + +<p> +Although this can also lead to systems with more packages installed than they +actually need to work. +</p> + +<h2><a href="ch-support.en.html#fr6" name="f6">6</a></h2> + +<p> +Use the debian-<var>list-subject</var>-REQUEST@lists.debian.org address for +that. +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/index.en.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/index.en.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..952a22550 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/index.en.html @@ -0,0 +1,311 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="index"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br></h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="abstract"></a>Abstract</h2> + +<p> +This document answers questions frequently asked about Debian GNU/Linux. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="copyright"></a>Copyright Notice</h2> + +<p> +Copyright © 1996-2005 by Software in the Public Interest +</p> + +<p> +Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this document +provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are preserved on all +copies. +</p> + +<p> +Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this document +under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the entire resulting +derived work is distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to +this one. +</p> + +<p> +Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this document into +another language, under the above conditions for modified versions, except that +this permission notice may be included in translations approved by the Free +Software Foundation instead of in the original English. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="contents"></a>Contents</h2> + +<ul> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1 Definitions and overview</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-whatisfaq">1.1 What is this FAQ?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-whatisdebian">1.2 What is Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-linux">1.3 OK, now I know what Debian is... what is Linux?!</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-non-linux">1.4 Does Debian just do GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-difference">1.5 What is the difference between Debian GNU/Linux and other Linux distributions? Why should I choose Debian over some other distribution?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-gnu">1.6 How does the Debian project fit in or compare with the Free Software Foundation's GNU project?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-pronunciation">1.7 How does one pronounce Debian and what does this word mean?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html">2 Getting and installing Debian GNU/Linux</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-version">2.1 What is the latest version of Debian?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-updatestable">2.2 Are there package upgrades in `stable'?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-boot-floppies">2.3 Where/how can I get the Debian installation disks?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdrom">2.4 How do I install the Debian from CD-ROMs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdimage-symlinks">2.5 Why does the official stable released CD-ROM contain symlinks for `frozen' and `unstable'? I thought this CD contains just `stable'!</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdimages">2.6 I have my own CD-writer, are there CD images available somewhere?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-floppy">2.7 Can I install it from a pile of floppy disks?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-remoteinstall">2.8 Can I get and install Debian directly from a remote Internet site?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html">3 Compatibility issues</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-arches">3.1 On what hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherdistribs">3.2 How compatible is Debian with other distributions of Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherunices">3.3 How source code compatible is Debian with other Unix systems?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherpackages">3.4 Can I use Debian packages (".deb" files) on my Red Hat/Slackware/... Linux system? Can I use Red Hat packages (".rpm" files) on my Debian GNU/Linux system?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-libc5">3.5 Is Debian able to run my old libc5 programs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-libc5-compile">3.6 Can Debian be used to compile libc5 programs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-non-debian-programs">3.7 How should I install a non-Debian program?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-termcap">3.8 Why can't I compile programs that require libtermcap?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-accelx">3.9 Why can't I install AccelX?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-motifnls">3.10 Why do my old XFree 2.1 Motif applications crash?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html">4 Software available in the Debian system</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-apps">4.1 What types of applications and development software are available for Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-softwareauthors">4.2 Who wrote all that software?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-pkglist">4.3 How can I get a current list of programs that have been packaged for Debian?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-missing">4.4 What is missing from Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-no-devs">4.5 Why do I get "ld: cannot find -lfoo" messages when compiling programs? Why aren't there any libfoo.so files in Debian library packages?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-java">4.6 (How) Does Debian support Java?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-isitdebian">4.7 How can I check that I am using a Debian system, and what version is it?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonenglish">4.8 How does Debian support non-English languages?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-usexports">4.9 What about the US export regulation limitations?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-pine">4.10 Where is pine?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-qmail">4.11 Where is qmail/ezmlm/djbdns?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5 The Debian FTP archives</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dirtree">5.1 What are all those directories at the Debian FTP archives?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dists">5.2 How many Debian distributions are there in the <samp>dists</samp> directory?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-codenames">5.3 What are all those names like slink, potato, etc.?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-oldcodenames">5.3.1 Which other codenames have been used in the past?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-sourceforcodenames">5.3.2 Where do these codenames come from?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-sid">5.4 What about "sid"?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-stable">5.5 What does the stable directory contain?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-testing">5.6 What does the testing directory contain?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-frozen">5.6.1 What about "testing"? How is it `frozen'?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-unstable">5.7 What does the unstable directory contain?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-archsections">5.8 What are all those directories inside <samp>dists/stable/main</samp>?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-source">5.9 Where is the source code?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-pools">5.10 What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-incoming">5.11 What is "incoming"?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-ownrepository">5.12 How do I set up my own apt-able repository?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6 Basics of the Debian package management system</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-package">6.1 What is a Debian package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-deb-format">6.2 What is the format of a Debian binary package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pkgname">6.3 Why are Debian package file names so long?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-controlfile">6.4 What is a Debian control file?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-conffile">6.5 What is a Debian conffile?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-maintscripts">6.6 What is a Debian preinst, postinst, prerm, and postrm script?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-priority">6.7 What is an <em>Essential</em> <em>Required</em>, <em>Important</em>, <em>Standard</em>, <em>Optional</em>, or <em>Extra</em> package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-virtual">6.8 What is a Virtual Package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-depends">6.9 What is meant by saying that a package <em>Depends</em>, <em>Recommends</em>, <em>Suggests</em>, <em>Conflicts</em>, <em>Replaces</em> or <em>Provides</em> another package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pre-depends">6.10 What is meant by Pre-Depends?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pkgstatus">6.11 What is meant by <em>unknown</em>, <em>install</em>, <em>remove</em> <em>purge</em> and <em>hold</em> in the package status?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-puttingonhold">6.12 How do I put a package on hold?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-sourcepkgs">6.13 How do I install a source package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-sourcebuild">6.14 How do I build binary packages from a source package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-creatingdebs">6.15 How do I create Debian packages myself?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7 The Debian package management tools</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-pkgprogs">7.1 What programs does Debian provide for managing its packages?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg">7.1.1 dpkg</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-apt-get">7.1.2 APT</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-aptitude">7.1.3 aptitude</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dselect">7.1.4 dselect</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg-extra">7.1.5 Other package management tools</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-updaterunning">7.2 Debian claims to be able to update a running program; how is this accomplished?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-whatpackages">7.3 How can I tell what packages are already installed on a Debian system?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-filesearch">7.4 How can I find out what package produced a particular file?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-datapackages">7.5 Why doesn't get `foo-data' removed when I uninstall `foo'? How do I make sure old unused library-packages get purged?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8 Keeping your Debian system up-to-date</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-libc5to6upgrade">8.1 How can I upgrade my Debian 1.3.1 (or earlier) distribution, based on libc5, to 2.0 (or later), based on libc6?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-howtocurrent">8.2 How can I keep my Debian system current?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-aptitude-upgrade">8.2.1 aptitude</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-apt">8.2.2 apt-get, dselect and apt-cdrom</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-dpkg-ftp">8.2.3 dpkg-ftp</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-mirror">8.2.4 mirror</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-dpkg-mountable">8.2.5 dpkg-mountable</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-upgradesingle">8.3 Must I go into single user mode in order to upgrade a package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-savedebs">8.4 Do I have to keep all those .deb archive files on my disk?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-keepingalog">8.5 How can I keep a log of the packages I added to the system? I'd like to know when which package upgrades and removals have occured!</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9 Debian and the kernel</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-non-debian-kernel">9.1 Can I install and compile a kernel without some Debian-specific tweaking?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-customkernel">9.2 What tools does Debian provide to build custom kernels?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-custombootdisk">9.3 How can I make a custom boot floppy?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-modules">9.4 What special provisions does Debian provide to deal with modules?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-removeoldkernel">9.5 Can I safely de-install an old kernel package, and if so, how?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10 Customizing your installation of Debian GNU/Linux</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-papersize">10.1 How can I ensure that all programs use the same paper size?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-hardwareaccess">10.2 How can I provide access to hardware peripherals, without compromising security?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-consolefont">10.3 How do I load a console font on startup the Debian way?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-appdefaults">10.4 How can I configure an X11 program's application defaults?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-booting">10.5 Every distribution seems to have a different boot-up method. Tell me about Debian's.</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-custombootscripts">10.6 It looks as if Debian does not use <samp>rc.local</samp> to customize the boot process; what facilities are provided?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-interconffiles">10.7 How does the package management system deal with packages that contain configuration files for other packages?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-divert">10.8 How do I override a file installed by a package, so that a different version can be used instead?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-localpackages">10.9 How can I have my locally-built package included in the list of available packages that the package management system knows about?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-diverse">10.10 Some users like mawk, others like gawk; some like vim, others like elvis; some like trn, others like tin; how does Debian support diversity?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html">11 Getting support for Debian GNU/Linux</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">11.1 What other documentation exists on and for a Debian system?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-onlineresources">11.2 Are there any on-line resources for discussing Debian?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s11.2.1">11.2.1 Mailing lists</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s11.2.2">11.2.2 Maintainers</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s11.2.3">11.2.3 Usenet newsgroups</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-searchtools">11.3 Is there a quick way to search for information on Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-buglogs">11.4 Are there logs of known bugs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-bugreport">11.5 How do I report a bug in Debian?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12 Contributing to the Debian Project</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contrib">12.1 How can I become a Debian software developer?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contribresources">12.2 How can I contribute resources to the Debian project?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-supportingorganizations">12.3 How can I contribute financially to the Debian project?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-SPI">12.3.1 Software in the Public Interest</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-FSF">12.3.2 Free Software Foundation</a></li> +</ul></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13 Redistributing Debian GNU/Linux in a commercial product</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-sellcds">13.1 Can I make and sell Debian CDs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-packagednonfree">13.2 Can Debian be packaged with non-free software?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-childistro">13.3 I am making a special Linux distribution for a "vertical market". Can I use Debian GNU/Linux for the guts of a Linux system and add my own applications on top of it?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-commercialdebs">13.4 Can I put my commercial program in a Debian "package" so that it installs effortlessly on any Debian system?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14 Changes expected in the next major release of Debian</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-security">14.1 Increased security</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-i18n">14.2 Extended support for non-English users</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-morearches">14.3 More architectures</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-morekernels">14.4 More kernels</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15 General information about the FAQ</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">15.1 Authors</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-feedback">15.2 Feedback</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-latest">15.3 Availability</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-docformat">15.4 Document format</a></li> +</ul></li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + diff --git a/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/index.html b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/index.html new file mode 100644 index 000000000..952a22550 --- /dev/null +++ b/includes/common/doc/FAQ/html/index.html @@ -0,0 +1,311 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN"> + +<html> + +<head> + +<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<title>The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ</title> + +</head> + +<body> + +<p><a name="index"></a></p> +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<h1> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +<br></h1> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="abstract"></a>Abstract</h2> + +<p> +This document answers questions frequently asked about Debian GNU/Linux. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="copyright"></a>Copyright Notice</h2> + +<p> +Copyright © 1996-2005 by Software in the Public Interest +</p> + +<p> +Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this document +provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are preserved on all +copies. +</p> + +<p> +Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this document +under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the entire resulting +derived work is distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to +this one. +</p> + +<p> +Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this document into +another language, under the above conditions for modified versions, except that +this permission notice may be included in translations approved by the Free +Software Foundation instead of in the original English. +</p> + +<hr> + +<h2><a name="contents"></a>Contents</h2> + +<ul> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1 Definitions and overview</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-whatisfaq">1.1 What is this FAQ?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-whatisdebian">1.2 What is Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-linux">1.3 OK, now I know what Debian is... what is Linux?!</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-non-linux">1.4 Does Debian just do GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-difference">1.5 What is the difference between Debian GNU/Linux and other Linux distributions? Why should I choose Debian over some other distribution?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-gnu">1.6 How does the Debian project fit in or compare with the Free Software Foundation's GNU project?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html#s-pronunciation">1.7 How does one pronounce Debian and what does this word mean?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html">2 Getting and installing Debian GNU/Linux</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-version">2.1 What is the latest version of Debian?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-updatestable">2.2 Are there package upgrades in `stable'?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-boot-floppies">2.3 Where/how can I get the Debian installation disks?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdrom">2.4 How do I install the Debian from CD-ROMs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdimage-symlinks">2.5 Why does the official stable released CD-ROM contain symlinks for `frozen' and `unstable'? I thought this CD contains just `stable'!</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-cdimages">2.6 I have my own CD-writer, are there CD images available somewhere?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-floppy">2.7 Can I install it from a pile of floppy disks?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-getting.en.html#s-remoteinstall">2.8 Can I get and install Debian directly from a remote Internet site?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html">3 Compatibility issues</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-arches">3.1 On what hardware architectures/systems does Debian GNU/Linux run?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherdistribs">3.2 How compatible is Debian with other distributions of Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherunices">3.3 How source code compatible is Debian with other Unix systems?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-otherpackages">3.4 Can I use Debian packages (".deb" files) on my Red Hat/Slackware/... Linux system? Can I use Red Hat packages (".rpm" files) on my Debian GNU/Linux system?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-libc5">3.5 Is Debian able to run my old libc5 programs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-libc5-compile">3.6 Can Debian be used to compile libc5 programs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-non-debian-programs">3.7 How should I install a non-Debian program?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-termcap">3.8 Why can't I compile programs that require libtermcap?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-accelx">3.9 Why can't I install AccelX?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-compat.en.html#s-motifnls">3.10 Why do my old XFree 2.1 Motif applications crash?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html">4 Software available in the Debian system</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-apps">4.1 What types of applications and development software are available for Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-softwareauthors">4.2 Who wrote all that software?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-pkglist">4.3 How can I get a current list of programs that have been packaged for Debian?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-missing">4.4 What is missing from Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-no-devs">4.5 Why do I get "ld: cannot find -lfoo" messages when compiling programs? Why aren't there any libfoo.so files in Debian library packages?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-java">4.6 (How) Does Debian support Java?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-isitdebian">4.7 How can I check that I am using a Debian system, and what version is it?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-nonenglish">4.8 How does Debian support non-English languages?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-usexports">4.9 What about the US export regulation limitations?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-pine">4.10 Where is pine?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-software.en.html#s-qmail">4.11 Where is qmail/ezmlm/djbdns?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5 The Debian FTP archives</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dirtree">5.1 What are all those directories at the Debian FTP archives?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-dists">5.2 How many Debian distributions are there in the <samp>dists</samp> directory?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-codenames">5.3 What are all those names like slink, potato, etc.?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-oldcodenames">5.3.1 Which other codenames have been used in the past?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-sourceforcodenames">5.3.2 Where do these codenames come from?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-sid">5.4 What about "sid"?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-stable">5.5 What does the stable directory contain?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-testing">5.6 What does the testing directory contain?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-frozen">5.6.1 What about "testing"? How is it `frozen'?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-unstable">5.7 What does the unstable directory contain?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-archsections">5.8 What are all those directories inside <samp>dists/stable/main</samp>?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-source">5.9 Where is the source code?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-pools">5.10 What's in the <samp>pool</samp> directory?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-incoming">5.11 What is "incoming"?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html#s-ownrepository">5.12 How do I set up my own apt-able repository?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6 Basics of the Debian package management system</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-package">6.1 What is a Debian package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-deb-format">6.2 What is the format of a Debian binary package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pkgname">6.3 Why are Debian package file names so long?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-controlfile">6.4 What is a Debian control file?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-conffile">6.5 What is a Debian conffile?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-maintscripts">6.6 What is a Debian preinst, postinst, prerm, and postrm script?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-priority">6.7 What is an <em>Essential</em> <em>Required</em>, <em>Important</em>, <em>Standard</em>, <em>Optional</em>, or <em>Extra</em> package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-virtual">6.8 What is a Virtual Package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-depends">6.9 What is meant by saying that a package <em>Depends</em>, <em>Recommends</em>, <em>Suggests</em>, <em>Conflicts</em>, <em>Replaces</em> or <em>Provides</em> another package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pre-depends">6.10 What is meant by Pre-Depends?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-pkgstatus">6.11 What is meant by <em>unknown</em>, <em>install</em>, <em>remove</em> <em>purge</em> and <em>hold</em> in the package status?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-puttingonhold">6.12 How do I put a package on hold?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-sourcepkgs">6.13 How do I install a source package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-sourcebuild">6.14 How do I build binary packages from a source package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html#s-creatingdebs">6.15 How do I create Debian packages myself?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7 The Debian package management tools</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-pkgprogs">7.1 What programs does Debian provide for managing its packages?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg">7.1.1 dpkg</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-apt-get">7.1.2 APT</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-aptitude">7.1.3 aptitude</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dselect">7.1.4 dselect</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-dpkg-extra">7.1.5 Other package management tools</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-updaterunning">7.2 Debian claims to be able to update a running program; how is this accomplished?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-whatpackages">7.3 How can I tell what packages are already installed on a Debian system?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-filesearch">7.4 How can I find out what package produced a particular file?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html#s-datapackages">7.5 Why doesn't get `foo-data' removed when I uninstall `foo'? How do I make sure old unused library-packages get purged?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8 Keeping your Debian system up-to-date</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-libc5to6upgrade">8.1 How can I upgrade my Debian 1.3.1 (or earlier) distribution, based on libc5, to 2.0 (or later), based on libc6?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-howtocurrent">8.2 How can I keep my Debian system current?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-aptitude-upgrade">8.2.1 aptitude</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-apt">8.2.2 apt-get, dselect and apt-cdrom</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-dpkg-ftp">8.2.3 dpkg-ftp</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-mirror">8.2.4 mirror</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-dpkg-mountable">8.2.5 dpkg-mountable</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-upgradesingle">8.3 Must I go into single user mode in order to upgrade a package?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-savedebs">8.4 Do I have to keep all those .deb archive files on my disk?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-uptodate.en.html#s-keepingalog">8.5 How can I keep a log of the packages I added to the system? I'd like to know when which package upgrades and removals have occured!</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9 Debian and the kernel</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-non-debian-kernel">9.1 Can I install and compile a kernel without some Debian-specific tweaking?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-customkernel">9.2 What tools does Debian provide to build custom kernels?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-custombootdisk">9.3 How can I make a custom boot floppy?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-modules">9.4 What special provisions does Debian provide to deal with modules?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-kernel.en.html#s-removeoldkernel">9.5 Can I safely de-install an old kernel package, and if so, how?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10 Customizing your installation of Debian GNU/Linux</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-papersize">10.1 How can I ensure that all programs use the same paper size?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-hardwareaccess">10.2 How can I provide access to hardware peripherals, without compromising security?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-consolefont">10.3 How do I load a console font on startup the Debian way?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-appdefaults">10.4 How can I configure an X11 program's application defaults?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-booting">10.5 Every distribution seems to have a different boot-up method. Tell me about Debian's.</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-custombootscripts">10.6 It looks as if Debian does not use <samp>rc.local</samp> to customize the boot process; what facilities are provided?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-interconffiles">10.7 How does the package management system deal with packages that contain configuration files for other packages?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-divert">10.8 How do I override a file installed by a package, so that a different version can be used instead?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-localpackages">10.9 How can I have my locally-built package included in the list of available packages that the package management system knows about?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-customizing.en.html#s-diverse">10.10 Some users like mawk, others like gawk; some like vim, others like elvis; some like trn, others like tin; how does Debian support diversity?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html">11 Getting support for Debian GNU/Linux</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-debiandocs">11.1 What other documentation exists on and for a Debian system?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-onlineresources">11.2 Are there any on-line resources for discussing Debian?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s11.2.1">11.2.1 Mailing lists</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s11.2.2">11.2.2 Maintainers</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s11.2.3">11.2.3 Usenet newsgroups</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-searchtools">11.3 Is there a quick way to search for information on Debian GNU/Linux?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-buglogs">11.4 Are there logs of known bugs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-support.en.html#s-bugreport">11.5 How do I report a bug in Debian?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12 Contributing to the Debian Project</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contrib">12.1 How can I become a Debian software developer?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-contribresources">12.2 How can I contribute resources to the Debian project?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-supportingorganizations">12.3 How can I contribute financially to the Debian project?</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-SPI">12.3.1 Software in the Public Interest</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-contributing.en.html#s-FSF">12.3.2 Free Software Foundation</a></li> +</ul></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13 Redistributing Debian GNU/Linux in a commercial product</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-sellcds">13.1 Can I make and sell Debian CDs?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-packagednonfree">13.2 Can Debian be packaged with non-free software?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-childistro">13.3 I am making a special Linux distribution for a "vertical market". Can I use Debian GNU/Linux for the guts of a Linux system and add my own applications on top of it?</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-redistrib.en.html#s-commercialdebs">13.4 Can I put my commercial program in a Debian "package" so that it installs effortlessly on any Debian system?</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14 Changes expected in the next major release of Debian</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-security">14.1 Increased security</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-i18n">14.2 Extended support for non-English users</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-morearches">14.3 More architectures</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-nexttime.en.html#s-morekernels">14.4 More kernels</a></li> +</ul></li> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15 General information about the FAQ</a></li> +<li><ul> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">15.1 Authors</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-feedback">15.2 Feedback</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-latest">15.3 Availability</a></li> +<li><a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-docformat">15.4 Document format</a></li> +</ul></li> +</ul> + +<hr> + +<p> +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">previous</a> ] +[ <a href="#contents">Contents</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">1</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-getting.en.html">2</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-compat.en.html">3</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-software.en.html">4</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-ftparchives.en.html">5</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkg_basics.en.html">6</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-pkgtools.en.html">7</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-uptodate.en.html">8</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-kernel.en.html">9</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-customizing.en.html">10</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-support.en.html">11</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-contributing.en.html">12</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-redistrib.en.html">13</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-nexttime.en.html">14</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html">15</a> ] +[ <a href="ch-basic_defs.en.html">next</a> ] +</p> + +<hr> + +<p> +The Debian GNU/Linux FAQ +</p> + +<address> +version 3.1.3, 25 April 2006<br> +<br> +Authors are listed at <a href="ch-faqinfo.en.html#s-authors">Debian FAQ Authors</a><br> +<br> +</address> +<hr> + +</body> + +</html> + |