First things first, what exactly is a package in Debian land. A package is just a fancy way to say “a collection of files and other goodies that are related to each other.” For example, if you want to install a new program on your computer called “MyAwesomeProgram,” it might come as part of a larger package called “myawesomepackage” which includes not only the actual program but also any necessary dependencies (like libraries or other programs) that are needed for it to work properly.
Now, how we actually build and package these things in Debian land. First, you need to have a source code repository somewhere where people can download your awesome new program. This could be on GitHub, Bitbucket, or any other hosting service that supports version control (like SVN).
Once you have your source code repo set up, the next step is to create what’s called a “build environment” which will allow us to build and package our software in a way that can be easily distributed and installed on other people’s computers. This involves setting up some special tools and scripts that will help us automate the process of building and packaging our software, as well as making it easier for others to install and use our program.
Now, how we actually build and package these things in Debian land using a tool called “dpkg.” Dpkg is like a superhero that can do all sorts of amazing things with packages! For example, if you want to install a new package on your computer, dpkg will help you download the necessary files from the internet (if they’re not already installed), extract them into the right directories, and configure any settings or options that are needed for the program to work properly.
Dpkg can also do things like remove packages if you no longer need them, upgrade existing packages to newer versions, and even verify that your package is still working correctly after it has been installed (which is really helpful when you’re trying to troubleshoot any issues).
So, how exactly does dpkg work? Well, let me break it down for you in simpler terms. When you run a command like “sudo apt-get install myawesomepackage,” what happens behind the scenes is that your computer sends a request over the internet to a package repository (which could be hosted by Debian or another organization) asking if they have a copy of the “myawesomepackage” program.
If the package repository has a copy of the program, it will send back a response saying “yes,” and your computer will download the necessary files from the internet and install them on your machine using dpkg (which is like a superhero that can do all sorts of amazing things with packages!). If there are any dependencies required for the program to work properly (like libraries or other programs), dpkg will automatically download those as well, and make sure they’re installed in the right place.
And that’s it! That’s how you build and package software using Debian land tools like “dpkg” and “apt-get.” It might sound complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually pretty easy (and a lot of fun) to create your own packages and share them with other people in the community. So go ahead, give it a try! Who knows, maybe someday you’ll be creating your very own “myawesomepackage” program that will change the world forever!