deb-reversion(1)

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), dpkg-deb(1), fakeroot(1)

DISCLAIMER

   deb-reversion is a tool intended to help porters 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
   transferred 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

[FIXME: source]                  Feb 13, 2006                 DEB-REVERSION(1)

---

Free and Open Source Software