NAME
deb-reversion - simple script to change the version of a .deb file.
SYNOPSIS
deb-reversion [options] .deb-file [log message...]
DESCRIPTION
deb-reversion unpacks the specified .deb file, changes the version
number in the relevant locations, appends a Debian changelog entry with
the specified contents, and creates a new .deb file with the updated
version.
By default, the tool creates a new version number suitable for local
changes, such that the new package will be greater than the current
one, but lesser than any future, official Debian packages. With -v
version, the version number can be specified directly. On the other
hand, the -c simply calculates the new version number but does not
generate a new package.
When building a .deb file, root privileges are required in order to
have the correct permissions and ownerships in the resulting .deb file.
This can be achieved either by running deb-reversion as root or running
under fakeroot(1), as 'fakeroot deb-reversion foo.deb'.
With -k hook, a hook script may be specified, which is run on the
unpacked binary packages just before it is repacked. If you want to
write changelog entries from within the hook, use 'dch -a -- your
message'. (Alternatively, do not give a changelog entry on the
deb-reversion command line and dch will be called automatically.) The
hook command must be placed in quotes if it has more than one word; it
is called via sh -c.
OPTIONS
-v new-version, --new-version new-version
Specifies the version number to be used for the new version. Passed
to dch(1).
-o old-version, --old-version old-version
Specifies the version number to be used as the old version instead
of the version stored in the .deb's control file.
-c, --calculate-only
Only calculate and display the new version number which would be
used; do not build a new .deb file. Cannot be used in conjunction
with -v.
-s string, --string string
Instead of using 'LOCAL.' as the version string to append to the
old version number, use string instead.
-k hook-command, --hook hook-command
A hook command to run after unpacking the old .deb file and
modifying the changelog, and before packing up the new .deb file.
Must be in quotes if it is more than one (shell) word. Only one
hook command may be specified; if you want to perform more than
this, you could specify 'bash' as the hook command, and you will
then be given a shell to work in.
-D, --debug
Pass --debug to dpkg-deb(1).
-b, --force-bad-version
Pass --force-bad-version to dch(1)
-h, --help
Display usage information.
-V, --version
Display version information.
SEE ALSO
dch(1), fakeroot(1), dpkg-deb(1).
DISCLAIMER
deb-reversion is a tool intended to help porters (e.g. amd64) with
modifying packages for other architectures, and to augment deb-repack,
which creates modified packages with identical version numbers as the
official packages. Chaos will ensue! With deb-reversion, a proper
version number can be selected, which does not obstruct the next
official release but can be specifically pinned with APT or held with
dpkg.
Please take note that deb-reversion does not come without problems.
While it works fine in most cases, it may just not in yours.
Especially, please consider that it changes binary packages (only!) and
hence can break strict versioned dependencies between binary packages
generated from the same source.
You are using this tool at your own risk and I shall not shed a tear if
your gerbil goes up in flames, your microwave attacks the stereo, or
the angry slamming of your fist spills your coffee into the keyboard,
which sets off a chain reaction resulting in a vast amount of money
transfered from your account to mine.
AUTHOR
deb-reversion is Copyright 2004-5 by martin f. krafft
madduck@debian.org and modifications are Copyright 2006 by Julian
Gilbey jdg@debian.org.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the Artistic License:
http://www.opensource.org/licenses/artistic-license.php On Debian
systems, the complete text of the Artistic License can be found in
/usr/share/common-licenses/Artistic.
This manual page was written by martin f. krafft madduck@debian.org and
modified by Julian Gilbey jdg@debian.org.
NOTES
1. http://www.opensource.org/licenses/artistic-license.php
Feb 13, 2006