debconf-copydb

debconf-copydb [--frontend=frontend] fromdb todb [type]

-h, --help
    Show command usage and options

--frontend=frontend
    Specify debconf frontend (default: noninteractive)

debconf-copydb copies configuration data between debconf database backends. Debconf manages Debian package configurations using pluggable backends like passwd (file-based), mysql (database), or dump (text dump). This tool reads owner:template pairs and responses from a source backend (fromdb) and writes them to a target backend (todb).

An optional type argument limits copying to specific template types (e.g., package/config). It supports interactive frontends via --frontend, but defaults to noninteractive for scripting.

Common uses include migrating data during upgrades, creating backups, or converting formats. Source and target must be valid backend names; full format is backend:database, but simple names like passwd imply defaults. Templates are not copied unless in a separate templatedb.

Overwrites all data in target database without prompting. Verify backends are accessible and writable. No progress indicator for large databases.

debconf-copydb passwd mysql
Copies full passwd backend to mysql backend.

debconf-copydb passwd mysql pkg/config
Copies only 'pkg/config' type entries.

debconf-copydb --frontend=readline passwd dump
Interactive copy to dump format.

Developed by Joey Hess for debconf (circa 2000); part of Debian's cdebconf/debconf since version 1.0, evolved for backend flexibility.

debconf(7), debconf-dumpdb(1), debconf-loadtemplate(1)