Changes between Version 4 and Version 5 of WhatIsAPackage

Timestamp:

10/17/12 19:39:13 (12 years ago)

Author:

jdreed

Comment:

--

WhatIsAPackage

@@ -53 +53 @@
 - Description: is a description of the package.  The first line should be a summary, and subsequent lines should be a full-text description, indented by one space.
 
+A complete list of fields is available at http://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-controlfields.html
+
  == Package Managers ==
 
 Binary packages can be installed with the `dpkg -i` command, but this is generally unfamiliar to many novice Debian users.  This is because most package transactions on modern Debian workstations take place with a package manager.  The most well known one is the Advanced Package Tool (APT).  Installation of packages is performed with the "apt-get" command, e.g. `apt-get install xterm`.  Package managers take care of installing dependencies for you and streamline the package installation process.  
 
+`apt-cache` can query the apt cache and show information about a package that you have not yet installed. (e.g. `apt-cache show xterm`)
+
+`apt-get download` will download a binary package to the current directory.
+
 Another common package manager is `aptitude`.  Throughout the Debathena documentation, you may see both `aptitude` and `apt-get` used interchangeable.  While they have similar features, their syntax is different.  Consult the manual pages for both commands for more information.