ubuntu package repository backup problem

Question

I want to install new ubuntu 11.04 released yesterday, and my system currently has ubuntu 10.10. I have installed many packages related to my college project after 10.10 installation. Is there any script/code to find which packages I have installed after linux installation or packages other than default so that I can install them in new ubuntu version in one chance rather than on requirements again?

Answer 1

I write a little script, some times ago, to obtain what you ask. Yes, the output should be refined, but it gives you a good hint to what you need (aptitude is required).

It essentially takes all packages installed not automatically after the end of the installation of the system, conventionally marked by the grub-pc package installation.

#!/bin/bash

export LC_COLLATE=C

eval $(lesspipe)

vars=($(less /var/log/dpkg.log* | sort | 
  grep 'status installed grub-pc' | head -1))
date="${vars[0]}"
time="${vars[1]}"

join \
  <(aptitude -F%p search '?installed?not(?automatic)' |
    sort) \
  <(less /var/log/dpkg.log* |
    sort |
    awk -v date=$date -v time=$time '(($1 == date && $2 > time) || $1 > date) 
      && $3 == "install" { print $4 }' |
    sort -u)

Answer 2

Why not just directly upgrade your 10.10 installation to 11.04? It'll automatically upgrade all of the packages you've added.

Answer 3

/var/cache/apt/archives contains packages installed through repository.