debman

Read a man page for a command that is provided by a specified package

$ debman -p [package] [command]

$ debman -p [package]=[version] [command]

$ debman -f [path/to/filename.deb] [command]

debman [options] command [arguments]

--debug
    Enable debugging output.

--help
    Display a help message.

create
    Create a new Debian archive.

update
    Update an existing Debian archive.

scan
    Scan archive directories for packages.

debman provides a consistent way to manage and browse Debian package archives, including local directories. It helps maintain package lists, extract information about packages, and perform other archive-related tasks.

debman acts as a front-end, automating tasks like running dpkg-scanpackages, apt-ftparchive, and other utilities. It simplifies the process of setting up and managing a local Debian package repository, allowing users to easily install and update packages from their own curated collection. It is especially useful for situations where internet access is limited or unavailable. The tool supports various package metadata formats and can be configured to suit different archive layouts. It is an efficient tool to keep track of your collection of Debian packages.

The specific options and commands available with debman can vary depending on the version and configuration. Refer to the man page for complete details.

debman's behavior is often configured through configuration files, specifying archive locations, package lists, and other settings. These configurations customize its functionality to fit specific use-cases.

Common use cases include setting up local package mirrors, creating custom package repositories for internal software distribution, and managing offline package archives.

debman's history is intertwined with the evolution of Debian package management. It likely emerged as a helper tool to streamline the creation and maintenance of local Debian archives, especially in environments where direct internet access for package management was not always feasible or desirable.

dpkg-scanpackages(1), apt-ftparchive(1), apt(8)