Exploring the Versatility of the `checkinstall` Command (with Examples)

checkinstall is a valuable command-line tool for Linux users who want to streamline the process of software package management. Essentially, it tracks the local installation of a software package from source and generates a native package for your system’s package manager. This seamlessly allows users to install, upgrade, or remove software just like any package installed from a repository, reducing potential conflicts between system files and third-party software. Structuring the packaging process this way, checkinstall helps maintain a clean and organized system environment.

Use case 1: Create and install a package with default settings

Code:

sudo checkinstall --default

Motivation:

This command is perfect for users who are new to checkinstall or those who simply wish to quickly create and install a package with minimal configuration. By using the --default flag, one can let checkinstall handle all necessary steps with preset settings. This is beneficial when dealing with straightforward installation tasks without specific needs, ensuring that the package is produced and installed without further input.

Explanation:

• sudo: This grants the command root privileges, allowing it to access and modify the necessary system files during package creation and installation.
• checkinstall: The main command responsible for the creation of the software package.
• --default: This flag tells checkinstall to proceed with its default configuration, which includes standard naming, version, and documentation options.

Example output:

Done. The new package has been installed and saved to /path/to/package-version.deb

Use case 2: Create a package but don’t install it

Code:

sudo checkinstall --install=no

Motivation:

There are times when you want to build a package from a source, but installing it immediately isn’t desirable. This might be the case if you are preparing a package for distribution or testing purposes, or if you prefer to examine the output before installing it on your system. In such instances, using the --install=no flag ensures the package is created and stored appropriately but not installed.

Explanation:

• sudo: Provides necessary permissions for package creation.
• checkinstall: Engages the package creation process from the source.
• --install=no: This option prevents the automatic installation of the package post-creation. The package is built but remains uninstalled, available for later use or distribution.

Example output:

Done. The package has been created and saved to /path/to/package-version.deb

Use case 3: Create a package without documentation

Code:

sudo checkinstall --nodoc

Motivation:

Sometimes, additional documentation files can unnecessarily bloat a package, especially if disk space is a consideration or the documentation is redundant for experienced users. The --nodoc flag provides a solution by producing a leaner package that omits manuals, help files, or other packaged documentation, saving space and simplifying deployment.

Explanation:

• sudo: Ensures the operation has root privileges to access system paths and create packages.
• checkinstall: Handles packaging of the software from the given source.
• --nodoc: This flag tells checkinstall not to include the standard documentation files found in the source directory, resulting in a smaller package footprint.

Example output:

Done. The package has been created without documentation and saved to /path/to/package-version.deb

Use case 4: Create a package and set the name

Code:

sudo checkinstall --pkgname package

Motivation:

Using meaningful package names is critical for effective package management, especially in environments with numerous software packages. Manually setting the package name ensures consistency with naming conventions or personal preferences that improve package tracking and management within multiple installations or across an organization.

Explanation:

• sudo: Allows the command to execute with the necessary system access privileges.
• checkinstall: Orchestrates the conversion of source files to a manageably packaged format.
• --pkgname package: This flag directly specifies the desired name of the package. Replace package with your preferred name that best describes the software being packaged.

Example output:

The package has been created and saved to /path/to/package-version.deb as 'package'

Use case 5: Create a package and specify where to save it

Code:

sudo checkinstall --pakdir path/to/directory

Motivation:

In projects where different teams or stages of development require access to specific locations, customizing the save directory for packages is essential. It maximizes organizational efficiency, especially when collecting packages from multiple builds for testing or archive purposes.

Explanation:

• sudo: Grants the command administrative rights necessary for performing actions on system directories.
• checkinstall: Facilitates the construction of the installable package.
• --pakdir path/to/directory: Directs checkinstall to save the newly created package in the given directory specified by path/to/directory, allowing for custom storage paths.

Example output:

The package has been created and saved to /specified/path/to/directory/package-version.deb

Conclusion:

The checkinstall command is a versatile and powerful tool for Linux users looking to optimize their system’s package management by creating native packages from source quickly and efficiently. Through the various use cases listed above, users can tailor their package creation process according to specific needs, such as skipping installation, omitting documentation, setting package names, or determining save locations. This flexibility allows for a smoother and more coherent management strategy across diverse computing environments.