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sashoalm
Asked: 2011-11-23 13:39:54 +0800 CST

How to download, modify, build and install a Debian source package? [duplicate]

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If I want to make minor changes to the source code of a Debian package, how do I go about downloading, incrementing the package version, building the (modified) source, and installing it on my computer?

package-management

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    There's basically two ways to do it, the first one is the classic form, you'll get the source with:

    Classic

     $ apt-get source package

    Then you'll be able to modify it:

     $ cd package
 $ vim some_file

    Rebuild it:

    $ sudo apt-get build-dep package
$ dch -i (which will open your editor to edit the changefile, here's where you can increment the package version)

$ debuild -us -uc -b

    And install it:

    $ sudo dpkg -i ../package.deb


    New Ubuntu Approach

    The new way (the Ubuntu way) is by using bzr branches, you'll get the code by using:

    $ bzr branch lp:ubuntu/package #which will download the latest ubuntu package (the precise one)

$ bzr branch lp:ubuntu/oneiric/package #to get the package in oneiric

    You can also get the code using:

    $ pull-lp-source package #lp-source is part of the ubuntu-dev-tools pkg

    pull-lp-source used to be called just lp-source in older versions.

    Then you'll be able to edit it:

    $ cd package 
$ vim some_file

    Rebuild it:

    $ dch -i 
$ debcommit
$ bzr bd -- -b -us -uc

    And install it:

    $ sudo dpkg -i ../package.deb

    I recommend that you check the Ubuntu packaging guide out to know the details.

    Also you might enconter problems if the package depends of others

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