dpkg
What dpkg is
dpkg is free, open-source Debian package-management software for Linux. It works with .deb packages and can install, build, remove and manage them, including through offline installation. dpkg checks whether dependencies are satisfied but does not find or install missing dependencies; unmet requirements cause installation to stop. Debian identifies aptitude, apt-get and dselect as higher-level tools that can install dependencies. The suite includes dpkg-deb for reading package control information, extracting files and building Debian binary packages, and dpkg-query for displaying package records. dpkg tracks states such as unpacked, installed and awaiting trigger processing. Its audit command checks package database consistency and looks for partial installations or missing, incorrect or obsolete control data and files. The verify command compares installed files with stored metadata using MD5 when available. On Linux, the security-mac force option uses SELinux for mandatory access control during installation. The manual warns that force options are mainly for experts and can damage a system when used without understanding their effects.
Who it suits
dpkg suits Linux users and administrators managing Debian packages directly. It is intended as low-level infrastructure, especially when offline installation or package-state inspection is needed.
What it does well
- Free and open-source
- Installs and manages .deb packages
- Supports offline installation
- Tracks package installation states
- Includes audit and verification commands
What to know first
- Does not install missing dependencies
- Force options can damage systems
- Linux platform only
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| dpkg | Free software · Debian package manager · No commercial plans listed | Free |
As wiki.debian.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
dpkg provides core Debian package operations and inspection tools without resolving dependencies for you. Use higher-level Debian tools when dependency installation is required, and treat force options cautiously.
Facts from dpkg's own pages
- Audience
- The Debian Wiki describes dpkg as low-level infrastructure for installing and removing Debian software packages. · wiki.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Audit
- dpkg --audit checks package database consistency and looks for partially installed packages or missing, wrong, or obsolete control data or files. · manpages.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Caution
- The manual warns that force options are mainly for experts and can break the system if used without understanding their effects. · manpages.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Dependency handling
- dpkg checks dependencies and refuses installation when dependencies are unmet, but it does not find or install those dependencies. · wiki.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- No · wiki.debian.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Higher-level front ends
- The Debian Wiki names aptitude, apt-get, and dselect as higher-level tools that can handle dependency installation. · wiki.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrity check
- dpkg --verify checks installed files against stored metadata and currently performs an MD5 checksum comparison when that metadata is present. · manpages.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Linux security support
- On Linux, dpkg's security-mac force option uses SELinux for mandatory access control when installing files. · manpages.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline installation
- Yes · wiki.debian.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Package archive tools
- dpkg-deb can read package control information, extract files, and build Debian binary packages. · wiki.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Package formats
- .deb · wiki.debian.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Package operations
- dpkg installs, builds, removes, and manages Debian packages. · manpages.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Package queries
- The dpkg suite includes dpkg-query for showing information about packages in the dpkg database. · wiki.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Package state tracking
- dpkg tracks package states including unpacked, installed, and awaiting trigger processing. · manpages.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- dpkg is a medium-level package manager for Debian. · wiki.debian.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Linux · wiki.debian.org, 21 Sept 2026
Where dpkg stands on Freedom251
- Package Managers#73 of 93