A Beginner’s Guide To Using dpkg Command In Linux

If you are a beginner in the world of Linux, you may have heard about the dpkg command but not fully understand what it does. In this guide, we will introduce you to the dpkg command and show you how to use it to manage packages on your Linux system.

What is dpkg?

dpkg stands for Debian Package Manager and is a command-line tool used to install, remove, and manage packages on Debian-based Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Debian itself. It is the low-level package management tool that interacts directly with the system’s package database.

How to use dpkg?

1. Installing a package:
To install a package using dpkg, you need to have the .deb file of the package you want to install. To install the package, open a terminal and use the following command:

sudo dpkg -i .deb

Replace with the name of the .deb file you want to install. This will install the package on your system.

2. Removing a package:
To remove a package using dpkg, use the following command:

sudo dpkg -r

Replace with the name of the package you want to remove. This will uninstall the package from your system.

3. Verifying the status of a package:
To check the status of a package using dpkg, use the following command:

dpkg -l | grep

Replace with the name of the package you want to check. This will show you the status of the package on your system.

4. Listing installed packages:
To list all the packages installed on your system using dpkg, use the following command:

dpkg –list

This will display a list of all the packages installed on your system along with their status.

5. Reinstalling a package:
To reinstall a package using dpkg, use the following command:

sudo dpkg -i –force .deb

Replace with the name of the .deb file you want to reinstall. This will reinstall the package on your system.

Conclusion

The dpkg command is a powerful tool for managing packages on Debian-based Linux distributions. By following this beginner’s guide, you should now have a basic understanding of how to use dpkg to install, remove, and manage packages on your Linux system. Experiment with the dpkg command to explore its full potential and take control of your package management.