Editing Debian (section)

== Packages ==
[[Package manager|Package management]] operations can be performed with different tools available on Debian, from the lowest level command <kbd>dpkg</kbd> to graphical front-ends like [[Synaptic (software)|Synaptic]]. The recommended standard for administering packages on a Debian system is the <kbd>apt</kbd> toolset.<ref name="deb-ref-2">{{Cite web |date=2013-12-03 |title=Chapter 2. Debian package management |url=http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch02.en.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808070729/http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch02.en.html |archive-date=August 8, 2011 |access-date=2014-05-29 |website=Debian Reference |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

[[dpkg]] provides the low-level infrastructure for package management.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Package: dpkg (1.16.15) &#91;security&#93; &#91;essential&#93; |url=https://packages.debian.org/stable/dpkg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509052934/http://packages.debian.org/stable/dpkg |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |access-date=2014-06-18 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> The dpkg database contains the list of installed software on the current system. The dpkg command tool does not know about repositories. The command can work with local [[deb (file format)|.deb]] package files, and information from the dpkg database.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-05 |title=dpkg |url=http://manpages.debian.org/cgi-bin/man.cgi?query=dpkg |access-date=2014-06-18 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

=== APT tools ===
[[File:Debian 7 Aptitude Package Details.png|thumb|Using [[Aptitude (software)|Aptitude]] to view Debian package details]] [[File:Debian-aptitude.png|thumb|Package installed with Aptitude]]
An [[Advanced Packaging Tool]] (APT) allows a Debian system to retrieve and resolve package [[Coupling (computer programming)|dependencies]] from [[Software repository|repositories]]. APT tools share dependency information and cached packages.<ref name="deb-ref-2" />
* The <kbd>apt</kbd> command itself is intended as an end user interface and enables some options better suited for interactive usage by default compared to more specialized APT like apt-get and apt-cache explained below.
* <kbd>apt-get</kbd> and <kbd>apt-cache</kbd> are command tools of the standard [[Advanced Packaging Tool#Usage|apt]] package. apt-get installs and removes packages, and apt-cache is used for searching packages and displaying package information.<ref name="deb-ref-2" />
* [[Aptitude (software)|Aptitude]] is a [[command line]] tool that also offers a [[text-based user interface]]. The program comes with enhancements such as better search on package [[metadata]].<ref name="deb-ref-2" />

=== {{Anchor|GDEBI}}GDebi and other front-ends ===
[[File:GDebi Package installer.png|thumb|Screenshot of GDebi Package installer]]
GDebi is an APT tool which can be used in command-line and on the GUI.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2006 |title=gdebi |url=https://launchpad.net/gdebi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619195632/https://launchpad.net/gdebi |archive-date=June 19, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-19 |publisher=[[Launchpad (website)|Launchpad]]}}</ref> GDebi can install a local .deb file via the command line like the dpkg command, but with access to repositories to resolve dependencies.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Thomas |first=Keir |date=2009-04-13 |title=10 Expert Ubuntu Tricks |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/163019/ubuntu_tricks.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715233348/http://www.pcworld.com/article/163019/ubuntu_tricks.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-19 |magazine=[[PC World]]}}</ref> Other graphical front-ends for APT include [[Ubuntu Software Center|Software Center]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Package: software-center (5.1.2debian3.1) |url=https://packages.debian.org/stable/software-center |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706170439/https://packages.debian.org/stable/software-center |archive-date=July 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-19 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> [[Synaptic (software)|Synaptic]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Package: synaptic (0.75.13) |url=https://packages.debian.org/stable/synaptic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706173039/https://packages.debian.org/stable/synaptic |archive-date=July 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-19 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> and [[Apper]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Package: apper (0.7.2-5) |url=https://packages.debian.org/stable/apper |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706185202/https://packages.debian.org/stable/apper |archive-date=July 6, 2014 |access-date=2014-06-19 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

[[GNOME Software]] is a graphical front-end for [[PackageKit]], which itself can work on top of various software packaging systems.

=== Repositories ===
The [[Debian Free Software Guidelines]] (DFSG) define the distinctive meaning of the word "free" as in "[[free and open-source software]]".<ref name="socialcontract">{{Cite web |title=Debian Social Contract |url=http://www.debian.org/social_contract |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217173758/http://www.debian.org/social_contract |archive-date=February 17, 2011 |access-date=2013-06-17 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> Packages that comply with these guidelines, usually under the GNU General Public License, [[BSD licenses#3-clause|Modified BSD License]] or [[Artistic License]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=License information |url=http://www.debian.org/legal/licenses/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720142826/https://www.debian.org/legal/licenses/ |archive-date=July 20, 2017 |access-date=2009-02-28 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> are included inside the ''main'' area;<ref name="distributions">{{Cite web |title=Chapter 4. Resources for Debian Developers |url=http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/developers-reference/resources.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025010313/http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/developers-reference/resources.html |archive-date=October 25, 2008 |access-date=2008-10-31 |website=Debian Developer's Reference |publisher=Debian}}</ref> otherwise, they are included inside the ''non-free'' and ''contrib'' areas. These last two areas are not distributed within the official installation media, but they can be adopted manually.<ref name="socialcontract" />

Non-free includes packages that do not comply with the DFSG,<ref name="debian-policy">{{Cite web |date=2013-10-28 |title=Chapter 2 – The Debian Archive |url=http://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-archive.html#s-sections |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713200533/http://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-archive.html#s-sections |archive-date=July 13, 2014 |access-date=2014-07-09 |website=Debian Policy Manual |publisher=Debian |df=mdy-all}}</ref> such as documentation with invariant sections and [[proprietary software]],<ref>{{Cite web |year=2006 |title=General Resolution: Why the GNU Free Documentation License is not suitable for Debian main |url=http://www.debian.org/vote/2006/vote_001#amendmenttexta |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629002111/https://www.debian.org/vote/2006/vote_001#amendmenttexta |archive-date=June 29, 2014 |access-date=2014-07-02 |publisher=Debian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Package: fglrx-driver (1:12-6+point-3) &#91;non-free&#93; |url=https://packages.debian.org/stable/fglrx-driver |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714200624/https://packages.debian.org/stable/fglrx-driver |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=2014-07-02 |publisher=Debian}}</ref> and legally questionable packages.<ref name="debian-policy" /> Contrib includes packages which do comply with the DFSG but fail other requirements. For example, they may depend on packages which are in non-free or requires such for building them.<ref name="debian-policy" />

[[Richard Stallman]] and the [[Free Software Foundation]] have criticized the Debian project for hosting the non-free repository and because the contrib and non-free areas are easily accessible,<ref name="Explaining Why We Don't Endorse Other Systems" /><ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Stallman |first=Richard |title=Re: Debian vs gNewSense – FS criteria |mailing-list=gnuherds-app-dev |date=2007-10-06 |url=https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnuherds-app-dev/2007-10/msg00049.html |access-date=2014-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714142657/https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/gnuherds-app-dev/2007-10/msg00049.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=lists.nongnu.org |quote=What makes Debian unacceptable is that its inclusion of non-free software is not a mistake. |author-link=Richard Stallman}}</ref> an opinion echoed by some in Debian including the former project leader Wichert Akkerman.<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Akkerman |first=Wichert |title=Moving contrib and non-free of master.debian.org |mailing-list=debian-vote |date=1999-06-21 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-vote/1999/06/msg00043.html |access-date=2014-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720100552/https://lists.debian.org/debian-vote/1999/06/msg00043.html |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref> The internal dissent in the Debian project regarding the non-free section has persisted,<ref>{{Cite mailing list |last=Wise |first=Paul |title=non-free? |mailing-list=debian-vote |date=2014-03-22 |url=https://lists.debian.org/debian-vote/2014/03/msg00224.html |access-date=2014-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084518/https://lists.debian.org/debian-vote/2014/03/msg00224.html |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |url-status=live |publisher=Debian}}</ref> but the last time it came to a vote in 2004, the majority decided to keep it.<ref name="nonfreeremovalvote">{{Cite web |year=2004 |title=General Resolution: Status of the non-free section |url=http://www.debian.org/vote/2004/vote_002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008234847/http://www.debian.org/vote/2004/vote_002 |archive-date=October 8, 2009 |access-date=2009-09-28 |publisher=Debian}}</ref>

=== Cross-distribution package managers ===
The most popular optional Linux cross-distribution package manager are graphical (front-ends) package managers. They are available within the official Debian Repository but are not installed by default. They are widely popular with both Debian users and Debian software developers who are interested in installing the most recent versions of application or using the cross-distribution package manager built-in sandbox environment. While at the same time remaining in control of the security.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=2016-06-21 |title=Linux's RPM/deb split could be replaced by Flatpak vs. snap |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/06/here-comes-flatpak-a-competitor-to-ubuntus-cross-platform-linux-apps/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211219110800/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/06/here-comes-flatpak-a-competitor-to-ubuntus-cross-platform-linux-apps/ |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |language=en-us}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2020-11-27 |title=How to Install and Use Flatpak on Linux |url=https://www.linuxtoday.com/news/how-to-install-and-use-flatpak-on-linux/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211218164651/https://www.linuxtoday.com/news/how-to-install-and-use-flatpak-on-linux/ |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=Linux Today |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''Four most popular cross-distribution package managers, sorted in alphabetical order:'''
* [[AppImage]] Linux distribution-agnostic binary software deployment
* [[Flatpak]] software code is owned and maintained by the not for profit Flatpak Team, with an open source [[GNU Lesser General Public License|LGPL-2.1-or-later]] license.
* [[Homebrew (package manager)|Homebrew]] software code is owned and maintained by its original author Max Howell, with an open source [[BSD 2-Clause License]].
* [[Snap (software)|Snap]] software code is owned and maintained by the for profit [[Canonical Group|Canonical Group Limited]], with an open source [[GNU General Public License|GNU General Public License, version 3.0]].