alien

Convert between Linux package formats.

TLDR

Convert a file to Debian format (.deb)

$ sudo alien -d [path/to/file]

Convert a file to Red Hat format (.rpm)

$ sudo alien -r [path/to/file]

Convert a file to Slackware format (.tgz)

$ sudo alien -t [path/to/file]

Convert to Debian format and install on the system

$ sudo alien -d -i [path/to/file]

Convert keeping the original version number

$ sudo alien -k [path/to/file]

SYNOPSIS

alien [--to-deb] [--to-rpm] [--to-tgz] [--to-slp] [options] file [...]

alien is a program that converts between Red Hat rpm, Debian deb, Stampede slp, Slackware tgz, and Solaris pkg file formats. It enables users to convert packages from one Linux distribution format to another and install them.

PARAMETERS

-d, --to-deb

Create Debian packages (default)

-r, --to-rpm

Create RPM packages

-t, --to-tgz

Create TGZ (Slackware) packages

--to-slp

Create SLP (Stampede) packages

-p, --to-pkg

Create Solaris pkg packages

-i, --install

Install generated packages automatically

-g, --generate

Create temporary directory for manual package building

-k, --keep-version

Don't increment version numbers

-c, --scripts

Convert installation/removal scripts

--fixperms

Sanitize file permissions (Debian only)

-v, --verbose

Display executed commands

-T, --test

Test generated packages with lintian

CAVEATS

Converted packages may not work perfectly as distribution-specific dependencies and scripts may not translate correctly between formats.

HISTORY

Created to help users install software from other Linux distributions when native packages are not available.