debconf-escape

debconf-escape [string]
Reads from standard input if no string is provided.

string
    The string to be escaped. If omitted, the command reads input from standard input.

debconf-escape is a utility, typically a Perl script, used to safely escape strings for interaction with the debconf configuration system. The debconf protocol uses '!' as a field separator and '\' as an escape character; newlines ('\n') also require special handling. This command replaces '!' with '\!', '\' with '\\', and newlines with '\n'. This ensures that user-provided input or programmatically generated strings, when passed to debconf as values or arguments, are correctly interpreted and do not disrupt the protocol's message structure. It is crucial for maintaining data integrity when scripts communicate with debconf.

This command is a low-level helper, primarily utilized by scripts and programs that directly interact with the debconf system. It is not typically invoked by end-users. It is part of the debconf package.

debconf-escape specifically handles the '!' (exclamation mark), '\' (backslash), and newline characters. The exclamation mark is a field separator in the debconf protocol, and the backslash is its escape character. Newlines are also escaped to prevent premature message termination. Correct escaping is vital to prevent misinterpretation of input data by the debconf backend.

debconf-escape, along with other debconf utilities, was developed as part of the Debian project to standardize package configuration. It addresses the critical need to safely handle string data within the debconf protocol, ensuring data integrity during package installation and upgrades. It has been a core component of the debconf package since its inception.

debconf(7), debconf(1), debconf-set-selections(1)