DPKG-CHECKDEPS.RB(1)

💖 DPKG-CHECKDEPS.RB — bestie edition 💖

okay so you know how dpkg will just. install stuff. and then be like "lol dependency problems"? yeah. this is the little script that tells you before that happens. it's dpkg-checkdeps.rb, it lives in the General Commands Manual corner of the Debian universe, and honestly? it's giving "underappreciated icon". let's get into it 🫶

✨ NAME ✨

dpkg-checkdeps.rb — a utility to check deb dependency, no cap 💅

🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

dpkg-checkdeps.rb [opts] debfile ...
dpkg-checkdeps.rb [opts] --from packages pkgname...
dpkg-checkdeps.rb [opts] --from --all
dpkg-checkdeps.rb [opts] --check pkgname...
opts: --to packages
       --arch arch
       --verbose
       -q

like. four whole ways to run it. pick your fighter. ✨

🦋 DESCRIPTION 🦋

so here's the tea, bestie ☕: dpkg-checkdeps.rb checks deb dependency problems when the deb packages you picked are installed in the target packages list. that's it. that's the whole vibe. you say "what if these guys were installed" and it says "okay and here's what would break". 🔥

🎀 OPTIONS 🎀

• -t packages-file, --to packages-file — specify the target packages-file. use it more than once and the packages lists just get appended, one after another, like a lil stack 🥞. and if you don't pass -t at all? default is your currently installed packages list, aka /var/lib/dpkg/status. iconic default behaviour tbh.
• -f packages-file, --from packages-file — specify the source packages-file. multiple uses = multiple appends, same deal as above. and once you've used this one, you can pick packages by package-name, or grab literally all of them with --all. 👑
• -A, --all — select all packages in the source packages-file. 🫶 > heads up bestie: you must use this together with --from. it does not fly solo. not even a little.
• -a arch, --arch arch — specify acceptable arch in packages-file. default is installation_architecture of dpkg. (yes, that's literally the name of the dpkg value. i don't make the rules 💀)
• -c, --check — check that the selected packages are satisfied by all packages in target packages. the moment of truth. the vibe check itself. ⭐
• -v, --verbose — verbose mode. it says more words. we love a chatty queen 🗣️
• -h, --help — display some help. "some" help. the specific amount of help is not specified. 🤡

🌈 EXAMPLES 🌈

  % dpkg-checkdeps.rb --arch alpha   --to '*/binary-$ARCH/Packages'
    --from ../proposed-updates/Packages' --all

  % dpkg-checkdeps.rb --to '*/binary-$ARCH/Packages' --check libc6

look at those globs. look at that $ARCH. we're arch-checking and pulling from a whole other directory, slay 🦋. and the second one is just "hey does libc6 survive in there" which is, honestly, the most relatable question a Debian user can ask. 😭

💀 BUGS 💀

• there are probably tons of bugs in this program. fr fr. not a vibe, just the truth.
• this checks only depends, recommends and suggests. it doesn't check pre-depends and conflicts. yet. 🔜
• this program comes with no warranties. and bestie, read this next part slowly: if running this program causes fire and brimstone to rain down upon the earth, you will be on our own. 🔥🌧️ like. we will not be there. you are the main character and the consequences are yours. 💅

👑 AUTHOR 👑

Fumitoshi UKAI <ukai@debian.or.jp>. 🫶 absolute legend, we stan.

k that's the whole page!! this lil guide came to you from the DEBIAN crew under Debian Utilities, and its own header said DPKG-CHECKDEPS.RB(1) — a name so nice it appears twice on the page, because that's just how manpages do. run it, check your deps, stay hydrated, and don't let the brimstone get you 💜✨🎀