How to use the command 'apt-file' (with examples)
The ‘apt-file’ command is a powerful tool that allows you to search for files in apt packages, even if those packages are not installed on your system. It enables you to find specific files, check the contents of packages, and search for packages that match a regular expression.
Use case 1: Update the metadata database
Code:
sudo apt update
Motivation:
Updating the metadata database is an essential step before using ‘apt-file’. It ensures that you have the most up-to-date information about available packages.
Explanation:
sudo: This command is used to run the ‘apt’ command with administrative privileges.apt: The package handling utility on Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu.update: This argument tells ‘apt’ to update the metadata database.
Example output:
Get:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal InRelease [265 kB]
Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates InRelease [114 kB]
Get:3 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports InRelease [108 kB]
Get:4 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security InRelease [114 kB]
Get:5 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal/main amd64 Packages [1276 kB]
Get:6 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal/universe amd64 Packages [11.3 MB]
Get:7 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal/multiverse amd64 Packages [177 kB]
...
Use case 2: Search for packages that contain the specified file or path
Code:
apt-file search|find partial_path/to/file
Motivation:
This use case helps you find packages that contain a specific file or path. It is useful when you need to locate a package that provides a particular file or binary.
Explanation:
apt-file: The command itself that allows you to search for files.search: This argument instructs ‘apt-file’ to search for packages.find partial_path/to/file: The file or path you want to search for. Replace ‘partial_path/to/file’ with the actual partial path to the file you are looking for.
Example output:
libxcb-dri3.so.0
libxcb-dri2.so.0
libxcb-so.0
...
Use case 3: List the contents of a specific package
Code:
apt-file show|list package
Motivation:
When you want to explore the contents of a package without installing it, this use case is very helpful. It allows you to check what files are included in a specific package.
Explanation:
apt-file: The command used to show the contents of a package.show: This argument tells ‘apt-file’ to display the contents of the package.list package: Replace ‘package’ with the name of the package you want to list.
Example output:
README.Debian
binaries/
binaries/dhclient
binaries/kismetlog2csv
...
Use case 4: Search for packages that match the regular_expression
Code:
apt-file search|find --regexp regular_expression
Motivation:
If you need to find packages that match a specific regular expression, this use case will come in handy. It allows you to search for packages using flexible patterns.
Explanation:
apt-file: The command used to search for packages.search: This argument tells ‘apt-file’ to perform a search.find --regexp regular_expression: Replace ‘regular_expression’ with your desired regular expression.
Example output:
firefox-esr: /usr/lib/firefox-esr/libxul.so
firefox-esr: /usr/lib/firefox-esr/firefox
...
Conclusion:
The ‘apt-file’ command provides a convenient way to search for files in apt packages. Whether you need to update the metadata database, find packages containing a specific file, explore package contents, or search for packages using regular expressions, ‘apt-file’ has got you covered.
