A toolkit for packages
Debian Goodies
The Debian Goodies collection offers a variety of time-tested scripts to help you manage Debian packages.
If you use a Debian-based system, you soon learn to install or remove packages with apt-get/dpkg. But, how do you access packages while they are on your system? One of Debian's answers to this question is Debian Goodies [1], a collection of scripts for administering .deb packages that is available on most Debian-based systems, including Linux Mint and Ubuntu.
The commands bundled in the Debian Goodies collection are small scripts, with such limited options and general purposes that none of them seem to deserve to be in a separate package. Over the past 14 years or so, each script has found its way into Debian Goodies, making it a collection of tools that ranges from small features for tracking broken packages or extracting copyright information to tools intended mainly for Debian developers fixing bugs in preparation for a release.
The scripts of Debian Goodies are not the only package-related tools on a Debian-based system. Except perhaps for their size, packages like apt-cache, apt-listbugs, apt-mirror, and a couple of dozen others could easily fit into the collection. However, the commands packaged under Debian Goodies have one overwhelming advantage – you only need to remember a single name to have access to a variety of tools.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.