How can I analyze this debian package before installing it?

Question

Before installing it, I'm curious how much information I can get just by analyzing the debian package.

I would love to know exactly what is going to be installed and where.

is this possible?

roadmr · Answer 1 · 2012-02-02 03:02:31Z

up vote 2 down vote

If you want this from the commandline, use dpkg-deb:

dpkg-deb --extract some-package.deb /directory/to/unpack

dpkg-deb --control some-package.deb /directory/to/unpack

This should leave a directory structure similar to what you'd be able to see in gdebi.

answered Feb 2 at 3:02

roadmr
3,432213

	but what if it installs to /etc/default? will it be forced to create that in /directory/to/unpack? – Blankman Feb 3 at 1:40
	No, it creates the directories it needs, so in this case `/directory/to/unpack/etc` will be created. Try it, it's harmless! Just don't point it at your root, i.e. don't `dpkg-deb --extract pack.deb /` – roadmr Feb 3 at 2:10

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Roland Taylor · Answer 2 · 2012-02-02 02:33:03Z

up vote 0 down vote

Yes this is very possible.

Install gdebi , which allows you to see the contents of the Debian package as if you had installed it.

gdebi screenshot

To do this, install gdebi, then open it, and open the Debian package from file>open.

answered Feb 2 at 2:33

	would this work from the command line? – Blankman Feb 2 at 2:35
	@Blankman: no, sorry. – Roland Taylor Feb 2 at 3:48

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2 Answers