5

Is this info part of APT cache or does it create a separate file to compare with new cache? Where is it stored then?

2 Answers 2

1
+25

If I'm not mistaken the files you are looking for are:

  • /var/cache/apt/pkgcache.bin
  • /var/cache/apt/srcpkgcache.bin

This is a local package database for binary and source packages respectively. It is updated every time you run apt-get update or programs like Synaptic do that somehow.

2
  • yes, but it is the APT cache, is that info stored there? In case it is how can we extract it?
    – int_ua
    Feb 14, 2013 at 14:16
  • 2
    @int_ua, didn't understand you from the very beginning. Yes, sure - /var/cache/* is part of APT cache :) I doubt that you can find the answer to your question even in documentation. To be sure whether Synaptic uses this file or not you'll probably have to have a look in the code. People out there on the Internet say it does (well, I also don't see any reason why it wouldn't - however this is just an assumption). As of how to parse it. It is a binary file, so also only programmatically. I'd have a look at some APT libraries.
    – Pavel A
    Feb 14, 2013 at 14:57
1

To extract the information from the apt cache, you use apt-cache or other Debian/Ubuntu tools such as aptitude. For instructions and examples, see man apt-cache or the Debian Package Management manuals

For example:

apt-cache show software-center

will list the complete package information.

Synaptic is essentially a GUI wrapper around apt, so its apt that is keeping track of the repository and package information and Synaptic is querying it.

apt-cache wrapped in bash scripts is probably the easiest way to do something similar on your own. Synaptic uses libapt-pkg* via C++, but there are also libraries for Perl and Python.

Finding new packages in aptitude

aptitude search '~N'
6
  • Does APT cache track "New in repository" info? Check the question, please.
    – int_ua
    Feb 21, 2013 at 7:14
  • 1
    Yes, it's all in the Debian manuals. You can use apt-cache or aptitude to find and track new packages. apt uses an xapian database that the other tools search.
    – chaskes
    Feb 21, 2013 at 13:12
  • the bounty ended, but if you'll add how to get it with apt-cache or any other precise answer I'll award you 100 points.
    – int_ua
    Feb 21, 2013 at 13:51
  • Ok, I'm still looking into some details and may edit the answer some more, but I added the specific command for aptitude. If you still need something else specific, please let me know.
    – chaskes
    Feb 22, 2013 at 16:13
  • 1
    I know, that's the part I'm still working on. I'll add more as I come up with it.
    – chaskes
    Feb 23, 2013 at 7:50

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .