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Compiling source into a DEB package

I have some tarballs I want to convert into Debian packages. I usually use gdebi to install .debs but tarballs are difficult for me to use. How can I use checkinstall or ubucompilator to make these .deb files?

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  • If you follow the instructions at help.ubuntu.com/community/CheckInstall what steps doesn't work for you, and for which specific piece of software?
    – arand
    Oct 23, 2012 at 14:29
  • i use ubuntu 12.10(64 bit) on my windows dual booted toshiba p755-s5215 laptop i'm gettin this msg after sudo aptitude install checkinstall sudo checkinstall The package documentation directory ./doc-pak does not exist. Should I create a default set of package docs? [y]: y Preparing package documentation...OK *** No known documentation files were found. The new package *** won't include a documentation directory. Please write a description for the package. End your description with an empty line or EOF.
    – abh-kirrack
    Oct 23, 2012 at 14:35
  • for java: make-jpkg is your friend.
    – sjas
    Feb 3, 2023 at 22:19

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From http://answers.oreilly.com/topic/249-how-to-use-checkinstall-to-create-packages-from-sources/:

Install checkinstall using apt (or your favourite package installer):

sudo apt install checkinstall

Extract the tarball into a directory. In this case, it is /tmp/program_example. Open terminal and cd into it with:

sudo -i

cd /tmp/program_example

Now, run:

make

and then 

checkinstall -D --pakdir=/home/youruser/packages/

which will make a deb package in /home/youruser/packages, and install it. You can then reuse it and give it to others. Do not use this to make a package for a PPA or package server. These must be made and tuned manually.

When it prompts you to give a description, just describe the package and then press Enter a few times to finish it.

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  • "Extract the tarball into a directory. In this case, it is /tmp/program_example" can u give me a example
    – abh-kirrack
    Oct 23, 2012 at 14:41
  • @abh-kirrack Just use archive manager into a directory. Remember the name of that directory. Or cd to the file and tar xvzf program.tar.gz then cd to the folder with the same name as the tarball.
    – nanofarad
    Oct 23, 2012 at 19:08
  • after the last step i'm getting this msg ***no rule to make target 'install'. Stop. **** Installation failed. Aborting package creation.
    – abh-kirrack
    Oct 24, 2012 at 9:43

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