TRN
06-07-2003, 06:32 AM
I realize that this is a command line tool available on debian systems and may not be available or desired on an RPM or source system BUT I was playing with it for a short time and thought new Debian users might want to check it out.
What is it?
Feta is a front end to various package management tools like dpkg, APT, and debconf.
The Benefit
The real jewel is helping new users become familiar with some basic .deb tools.
Installation
Based on your sources, the installation of feta is apt-get install feta. Once you have it installed then read the help by typing feta help at the prompt. You will see that there is a whole list of cool options / parameters for the tool.
An Example
I knew epiphany was on this machine but wanted to know the version and dependencies so I used feta to provide a quick answer.
lph@libranet:~$ feta show-package epiphany
Running: apt-cache showpkg epiphany
Package: epiphany
Versions:
0.4.2-1.1(/var/lib/apt/lists/ftp.debian.org_debian_dists_sid_main_binary-i386_Packages)
Reverse Depends:
Dependencies:
0.4.2-1.1 - libc6 (2 2.3.1-1) libclan2-sound (2 0.6.5-1) libclanlib2 (2 0.6.5-1) libgcc1 (2 1:3.3-0pre5) libstdc++5 (2 1:3.3-0pre5)
Provides:
0.4.2-1.1 -
Reverse Provides:
lph@libranet:~$
You might immediately argue that you can do this with Synaptic. However, I was at a command line and able to perform this task much faster than typing sudo -u root synaptic and then doing a search for epiphany. Besides, after running this list then a new user will see that they could just type:
apt-cache showpkg epiphany
Eventually the new user can use the tools such as dpkg, APT, and debconf with more confidence and power.
Enjoy
What is it?
Feta is a front end to various package management tools like dpkg, APT, and debconf.
The Benefit
The real jewel is helping new users become familiar with some basic .deb tools.
Installation
Based on your sources, the installation of feta is apt-get install feta. Once you have it installed then read the help by typing feta help at the prompt. You will see that there is a whole list of cool options / parameters for the tool.
An Example
I knew epiphany was on this machine but wanted to know the version and dependencies so I used feta to provide a quick answer.
lph@libranet:~$ feta show-package epiphany
Running: apt-cache showpkg epiphany
Package: epiphany
Versions:
0.4.2-1.1(/var/lib/apt/lists/ftp.debian.org_debian_dists_sid_main_binary-i386_Packages)
Reverse Depends:
Dependencies:
0.4.2-1.1 - libc6 (2 2.3.1-1) libclan2-sound (2 0.6.5-1) libclanlib2 (2 0.6.5-1) libgcc1 (2 1:3.3-0pre5) libstdc++5 (2 1:3.3-0pre5)
Provides:
0.4.2-1.1 -
Reverse Provides:
lph@libranet:~$
You might immediately argue that you can do this with Synaptic. However, I was at a command line and able to perform this task much faster than typing sudo -u root synaptic and then doing a search for epiphany. Besides, after running this list then a new user will see that they could just type:
apt-cache showpkg epiphany
Eventually the new user can use the tools such as dpkg, APT, and debconf with more confidence and power.
Enjoy