debconf-show

debconf-show package_name

package_name
    The name of the package whose debconf data you want to view.

The `debconf-show` command allows you to inspect the contents of the debconf database. Debconf is a system used to configure packages during installation and upgrades. This command is useful for troubleshooting configuration issues or understanding how a package is configured. It displays the questions and corresponding answers that debconf has stored for a given package. The output includes the question's name, type, and current value.

It is important to note that direct manipulation of the debconf database outside of the debconf tools is strongly discouraged, as it can lead to inconsistencies and problems with package management. `debconf-show` provides a read-only view, which is safer for exploration and diagnosis. It is a valuable tool for understanding the debconf configuration system, especially when troubleshooting issues with package installations or upgrades.

The output of `debconf-show` typically consists of sections for each question associated with the package. Each section shows the question name, question type and current value. Understanding the format can help in interpreting the configuration data. The specific fields displayed might vary slightly depending on the package and the version of debconf.

A common usage scenario is to inspect the configuration settings for a package immediately after its installation or upgrade. For example, after installing 'postfix', one might run `debconf-show postfix` to check the initial configuration questions and their answers. This can be useful for verifying that the package is configured as expected.

debconf(7), dpkg-reconfigure(8), debconf-set-selections(1)