Script That Checks For Newly Installed Software

Question

Is there some service or event that is created when the deb installer installs new software? I want to create desktop shortcuts everytime a new app is installed. I know how to do the shortcut, I just want to know if there is an event I can tie to that part of the script.

Answer 1

• Workaround: If you use unity, when you install software using the software-center (ubuntu software center), there's a note at the bottom of the window asking you if you want to create a unity launcher. You can click "Yes" or "No" accordingly.

• On the other hand, you could create some script that checks the log file:

  cat /var/log/dpkg.log|grep installed
  

• There are triggers, but as far as I can read, they are incorporated in debian packages:

  man debian-trigger deb-triggers
  

  (I wonder how desktop-file-utils triggers dpkg: Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils)

  less /usr/share/doc/dpkg-dev/triggers.txt.gz
  ls /var/lib/dpkg/triggers/
  

• Finally, maybe you could use dnotify for your script and watch the /usr/share/applications directory, where .desktop files are saved:

  http://serverfault.com/questions/50127/how-to-automatically-run-a-script-when-the-contents-of-a-directory-changes-in-li