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swim
----
Jonathan D. Rosenbaum<mttrader@access.mountain.net>
15 June 1999
0.1 Contents
------------
1. DESCRIPTION
2. COMMAND LINE OPTION SYNTAX
3. VERSION
4. HISTORY
5. MAKING INSTALLED SYSTEM DATABASES
5.1. Initial database making, and Rebuilding for an Installed
system.
5.2. UPDATING
5.3. REBUILDING THE SEARCH
5.4. FILES
6. IMPORTANT DEBIAN DATABASES FOR NOT-INSTALLED DATABASES
6.1. A. downloading the important databases with --ftp.
6.2. OVERVIEW
6.3. DISTRIBUTION DEFINED
6.4. SECTIONS
6.5. ARCHITECTURES
6.6. SWIMZ.LIST
6.7. SWIMZ.LIST EXAMPLES
6.8. FTP OR APT?
6.9. OPTIONS
6.10. B. downloading the important databases with apt, and
maintenance options.
7. MAKING NOT-INSTALLED DATABASES
7.1. OVERVIEW
7.2. OPTIONS
7.3. UPDATING
7.4. REBUILDING THE SEARCH
7.5. FILES
8. PREPARING YOUR INSTALLATION FOR APT
9. QUERYING THE INSTALLED AND NOT-INSTALLED DATABASES
9.1. MINOR MODES
9.2. SPECIFYING THE DATABASES TO USE
9.3. OPTIONS
9.4. PACKAGE RELATIONSHIPS
9.5. FORMAT
9.6. FTP - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
9.7. APT - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
9.8. REMOVING AN INSTALLED PACKAGE - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
9.9. STDIN - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
9.10. PACKAGE MANIPULATION - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
9.11. DATABASE LOCATIONS
10. UPGRADING WITH APT
11. SEARCHING
11.1. OVERVIEW
11.2. NARROWING A PREVIOUS SEARCH
11.3. MINOR MODES
11.4. OTHER OPTIONS
11.5. EXAMPLES
12. RAMDISK
12.1. OVERVIEW
13. FILES
14. SEE ALSO
15. BUGS
0.2 Copyright Notice
--------------------
Copyright � 1999 Jonathan D. Rosenbaum
SWIM, including this manual, is free software; you may redistribute it
and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at
your option) any later version.
This is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but *without
any warranty*; without even the implied warranty of merchantability or
fitness for a particular purpose. See the GNU General Public License
for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License with
the swim source as the file `COPYING'. If not, write to the Free
Software Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. DESCRIPTION
---------------
*swim* is a powerful *package administration* and *research tool* for
both an *installed Debian distribution*, and/or *not-installed virtual
Debian distribution(s)* allowing querying of software packages with a
variety of package information options, and powerful searches. Virtual
options which include ftp, installation, and package removal
capabilities can be seamlessly combined with querying or searches.
*swim* can be used on computer systems which either have, or do not
have a Debian distribution installed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. COMMAND LINE OPTION SYNTAX
------------------------------
When you press ``*swim* <*enter*>`` you will see a listing of command
line options in a particular syntax. This is to help you understand
under what context to use the options. When you enter the options on
the command line, the brackets, parentheses, braces, diamonds, and
question marks are not actually used.
*Major Mode Option*
All command line options for *swim* always start with a *major mode
option*, except for ``swim <enter>`` which will show the whole listing
of options. A major mode option is surrounded in braces *{ major mode
option }*. In the case of {--search} there are the alternative major
mode options {--refinesearch} and {--research}, but because --search
needs to be used first before either of these two options,
--refinesearch and --research are surrounded in parentheses ().
Note: Through the other chapters of this manual *{}* is assumed for
the *major modes* in the *usage:* section shown at the beginning of
every chapter.
Let's take a closer look at this situation:
`{--search ? (--research || --refinesearch)<pattern(s)>}'
`*||*' or `*|*' are used to indicate `*or*', `*?*' indicates
`*optional*', <diamond> indicates an *argument* (a required argument -
see Arguments below), (parenthesis) means `if used, must be used after
the previous required option was used'. Note: for readability
`--research' and -`-refinesearch' are not surrounded in `{}'.
*Normal Options*
Options to the major mode options are enclosed in brackets *[ option
to major mode ]*. `swim [-n]' <`enter'> (assume enter from here on
out), for instance, will show all the command line options without
using the pager. The pager which swim uses can be set in *swimrc* (see
*swimrc(8)*). ```swim {--help} [-n]''' will provide brief explanations
of all of swim's options without using the pager. In this case the
major mode option *{--help}*, and the option *[-n]* were used.
*Dashes*
Options which have a single dash can be combined with other single
dashed options *(-qaint)*. Double dashed options need to be entered by
themselves *(--help --nopager)*, many double dashed options have an
alternative single dash option *(-n for --nopager)*. The meaning of
options is related to the major mode they are being used with. *[-n]*
means no pager when called with *{--help}*, but it's a reference to
the not-installed databases when used with *{-q --query}*, fortunately
most options do not have double meanings.
*Arguments*
Many options require an argument. Arguments are enclose in diamonds <
*argument* >. An argument to an option may also be optional in which
case a question mark ``*?*'' will be placed between the option and the
argument. *[-l ? <[--df]>]* illustrates such a situation. *[-l]* shows
a file listings, and optionally the option *[--df]* can be use with
*[-l]* to show an expanded listing.
*[--dbpath* <*dir>]* requires an argument, this time the argument
would not be another option, but rather it is a directory.
Rule: When an option is an argument to another option it can be
written anywhere, but when a non-option is an argument <*dir*>
*(notice no brackets)* it has to be placed directly after the option.
Sometimes, there may be alternative arguments divided with ``*|*''.
<*argument1|argument2*> means use argument1 or argument2, but not
both.
Based on what we now know, let's compare this situation to the
*{--search}* situation shown above:
`[--ftp ? --source | --source_only ? <[--diff]>]'
In this case *--source* or alternatively *--source_only* can be
optionally used along with *--ftp* because they aren't in parentheses
*()* (also notice: | was used instead of ||, but means the same thing
``or''). *--diff* can optionally be provided as an argument to either
*--source* or *--source_only*. For readability --source and
--source_only weren't enclosed in brackets.
*Global Arguments*
A *global argument* can be typed anywhere on the command line, and can
be an option or text. If global arguments exist they are placed last
after the list of normal options that can be used with a major mode
option.
[targets | -S] and [targets|APT|DF] are examples. {-q}, {--initndb},
and {--rebuildndb} all use global arguments.
*Minor Mode Options*
{-q --query} will generally use zero or more minor mode options
[-afpgn --dir], with one exception (see chapter 9, `QUERYING THE
INSTALLED AND NOT-INSTALLED DATABASES ').
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. VERSION
-----------
usage: *swim --version*
This shows the version for the swim program.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. HISTORY
-----------
usage: swim --history
swim -h
options: [--arch <architecture>] [--dists <distribution>]
[--n] [--dbpath <dir>] [--root <dir>]
This shows a shell-like history of searches and the most recent
--stdin edit. History is numbered with the most recent action being 1,
and the earlier actions being of a higher number until the maximum
amount of lines set in the HISTORY variable in `swimrc(5)'. A separate
history is kept for each architecture-distribution.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. MAKING INSTALLED SYSTEM DATABASES
-------------------------------------
5.1. Initial database making, and Rebuilding for an Installed system.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
usage: swim --initdb
swim --rebuilddb
options: [--dbpath <dir>] [--root <dir>] [--lowmem]
[--split_data <lines>]
An *installed Debian distribution* is one in which packages are
installed using *dpkg* or some front-end to *dpkg* like *apt* or
*dselect*; *swim* supports installation through *apt*. These major
modes are for a computer with an *installed Debian distribution* and
make the databases which allow querying and searching capabilities for
the installed distribution.
*--initdb* is run when the databases do not exist yet, *--rebuilddb*
is run if the databases have become corrupt, or you want to rebuild
the databases instead of updating them.
*--dbpath* can be specified as an alternative location for where the
databases will be made. The default location is ``*/var/lib/dpkg*''.
An argument like ``*/otherstuff*'' could be provided, and then the
databases would be made here instead.
*--root* allows a database to be made for a Debian distribution
installed on a different partition. If the distribution is mounted on
*/New_Debian*, ``*/New_Debian*'' would be the argument to root. The
databases would be made for the Debian distribution installed on the
``*/New_Debian*'' partition.
*--dbpath* and *--root* can be used together. Given the previous two
examples, the databases would be made on ``*/New_Debian/otherstuff*'',
assuming ``*/New_Debian/otherstuff*'' actually existed.
*--lowmem* uses a method which uses a small amount of memory to make
the databases. By default *--initdb* and *--rebuilddb* use a method
which fully takes advantage of memory, this is a good thing, because
it means the databases are made in a quicker manner. On a computer
with a K6-200 CPU, 64MB of memory, and 1500 installed packages, the
databases can be made in 4.5 minutes using the default method, and 11
minutes using the low memory method. The high memory method is the
default because in general the size of a distribution is related to
how much resources a computer has, and probably a large installation
is unusual. If you get an ``out of memory'' when you use the default
method, or if your system is overloaded to begin with, the *--lowmem
method* is the prefered way.
*--split_data* determines the size of the files in the temporary
directory used to contruct the database. The default is 25000 lines
per file. If you are using the *--lowmem method* you may want to
provide a different argument to *--split_data*, like ``*--split_data
10000*''. This is a subject of experimentation.
5.2. UPDATING
--------------
usage: *swim --db*
options: *[--dbpath* <*dir*>*] [--root* <*dir*>*] [--check]*
*--db* allows you to update the databases by hand when packages have
been removed, added, or changed. swim will automatically run *--db*
under certain conditions.
*--check* prints out the changes to STDERR, and the total to STDOUT
without proceeding with the update.
See section 5.1, `Initial database making, and Rebuilding for an
Installed system. ' for options *--dbpath* and *--root*.
5.3. REBUILDING THE SEARCH
---------------------------
usage: *swim --rebuildflatdb*
options: *[--dbpath* <*dir*>*] [--root* <*dir*>*]*
swim makes the flat databases *searchindex.deb* and *dirindex.deb* for
doing *powersearches*. Instead of rebuilding these databases everytime
*--db* is run, new information is just appended to these databases,
and old information is kept. Generally, this is not a problem because
only files and directories which the other databases actually know
something about will be refered to. But in a situation where a file
has changed into a directory, the *powersearch* may not work properly,
because the old file name remains in *searchindex.deb*, and the new
directory name is now in *dirindex.deb* directory. In general, it
takes a lot of changes to the installed system before it is really
becomes necessary to rebuild the flat databases. This process takes
less than a minute on a K6-200 with 1500 packages.
See section 5.1, `Initial database making, and Rebuilding for an
Installed system. ' for options *--dbpath* and *--root*.
5.4. FILES
-----------
Databases which are made:
packages.deb
fileindex.deb
statusindex.deb
groupindex.deb
searchindex.deb
dirindex.deb
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. IMPORTANT DEBIAN DATABASES FOR NOT-INSTALLED DATABASES
----------------------------------------------------------
6.1. A. downloading the important databases with --ftp.
--------------------------------------------------------
usage: swim --ftp
options: --Contents <DF|directory>
--Packages <DF|directory>
[--dists <distribution>] [--arch <architecture>]
[--onec] [--Release_only]
6.2. OVERVIEW
--------------
*swim* provides a method so that all information about an existing
Debian distribution is quickly accessible through databases. Debian
already provides flat file databases for all its distributions. One
database called ``*Contents-(architecture)*'' provides a complete
listing of all the files associated with each package, the other much
more important database called ``*Packages*'' provides everything from
the Package's description, to all the dependencies for that package.
The Packages database is a crucial database for other important Debian
administrative tools like *dpkg* and *apt*.
6.3. DISTRIBUTION DEFINED
--------------------------
Debian Distributions choose a name which reflect the development state
of that distribution. The distribution named ``*unstable*'' is where
the majority of the development processing occurs, after *unstable*
has reached a certain level of maturity, it's copied over to a new
distribution called ``*frozen*'' which is tested extensively before
becoming the new ``*stable*'' distribution. The *frozen distribution*
retains the *Release version number* of the *unstable distribution*,
and the *unstable distribution* receives a new *Release version
number*. Eventually, *frozen* becomes *stable*, and at this point both
*frozen*, and the older *stable distribution* are removed. Code names
are associated with the *Release Version number* given for each of the
distributions. This is much better for mirroring Debian sites.
*swim* was designed to ignore these code names, and instead shows the
user the *Release version number* associated with the distribution.
Swim users must always use the real distribution name, or swim will
not work properly. This is a nice feature because it allows user to
make decisions related to the management of their databases, and makes
research much more easier.
The other Debian distribution which swim recognizes is *experimental*.
This distribution *does not have any Release version number*, and
contains packages which are considered risky because of their
development level.
6.4. SECTIONS
--------------
Each Debian distribution has sections related to the relationship of
each of the packages to the *Debian's Policy Manual*. In ``*main*''
there are packages which have a correct relationship with these
Policies. Packages in ``*contrib*'' comply with the *DFSG* (*Debian
Free Software Guidelines* found in the *Debian Policy Manual*) but
have various limitations like requiring a package which is found in
non-free, or is not in the Debian archive. Packages in ``*non-free*''
do not comply with the *DFSG* but are electronically distributable
across international borders. The ``*non-us*'' section is found
outside of the United States and exists for packages which have export
restrictions.
6.5. ARCHITECTURES
-------------------
Distributions also have architecture specific sections since not all
packages compiled for one architecture can run on all other
archictectures, however, there are a large percentage of packages
which do run on all architectures. The architectures are *alpha*,
*arm*, *i386*, *m68k*, *powerpc*, *sparc*, and more recently
*hurd-i386* which represents packages for the hurd GNU kernel for the
i386 architecture.
6.6. SWIMZ.LIST
----------------
*--ftp* uses a file called *swimz.list* which has the same type of
format (see format below) as the *sources.list(5)* which *apt* uses.
There are some differences. The *first difference* mentioned above
(see section 6.3, `DISTRIBUTION DEFINED ') requires that the
distribution names never should be the code names for the *Release
version*. *Secondly*, *apt* only retrieves databases specific to one
archictecture, normally the one you are running *apt* on. With *swim*
though you can fetch databases for any, or every architecture by
adding the architecture to ``deb'' with a hyphen (deb-hurd-i386). If
deb has no architecture appended it is assumed that the architecture
you want is the same as the system you are running *swim* on.
*Thirdly*, at this time *swim* only supports the ftp method.
*Fourthly*, you can change *swimz.list* as often as you want without
worrying about databases being removed so that that the *swimz.list*
and the downloaded databases match. This would occur with *apt's*
*sources.list(5)* if you removed a site. *Fifthly*, databases are kept
in a compressed state. *Sixthly* because the list is used for both
Contents and Packages, more flexibility is provided by only allowing
the default distribution/archictecture or distribution/architecture
provided on the commandline to be downloaded.
For *apt* users: If you are using *apt*, and *swim* together it is a
good strategy to use the real distribution name in the *sources
list(8)*, and to have an exact copy of the *sources.list(5)* ftp sites
in the *swimz.list*. Packages databases specific to the architecture
*apt* is using can be retrieved using *swim --apt --update* (this also
will keep track of the Release version), and then *swim* can be used
to fetch the architecture specific *Contents database* as shown below.
It should also be of interest to note that Packages downloaded by
either swim or apt can be used interchangeably by using 'cp -a' and
'gzip -d' or 'gzip -9'.
Here is a brief outline of the format required by *swimz.list*.
*deb uri distribution [section ... ]*
*deb* - represents a standard Debian distribution. And is simply
written as deb or with the architecture appended (*deb* or
*deb-alpha*).
*uri* - Universal Resource Identifier is exactly how you would enter
an address into a web browser. This address is the base of a Debian
distribution, generally this is right before the directory called
``*dists*''. So if *dists* is found in */stuff/pub/debian/dists*, and
the site is *somewhere.com* then the uri would be
*ftp://somewhere.com/stuff/pub/debian*.
*distribution* - This can be *unstable*, *frozen*, *stable*,
*experimental*. Distribution can also be a path which must end with a
slash like *unstable/binary-i386/*. This is used when there is no
section as in the experimental distribution or in sites which do not
have symlinks to the non-us section. No section would be mentioned in
this situation.
*section* - *main*, *contrib*, *non-free*, *non-US* (write it this
way).
6.7. SWIMZ.LIST EXAMPLES
-------------------------
Examples (each on one line):
*deb-alpha ftp://somewhere.com/stuff/pub/debian unstable main contrib
non-US*
This will fetch the alpha databases from somewhere.com for the
unstable distribution for the main, contrib and non-US sections.
Note: In these next two examples you can not append any architecture
to deb with a hyphen.
*deb ftp://somewhere.com/stuff/pub/debian project/experimental/*
This will fetch the experimental database, but there is not a
Contents-(architecture) database for this distribution. Notice that it
ends with a slash.
*deb ftp://somewhere.com/stuff/pub/debian-non-US stable/binary-i386/*
This will fetch the i386 databases for the stable distribution for
non-us,
6.8. FTP OR APT?
-----------------
How you use major mode *--ftp* depends on your goals. Even if you are
using *apt*, you may be interested in keeping tabs on different
architectures. In this case you would have to download the *Packages
databases* specific to these architectures. If you are only interested
in the architecture which *apt* is interested in, then you only need
to use *--ftp* to fetch the *Contents database(s)*. But, because it
isn't a requirement to set up a virtual filesystem, you are not
required to fetch the Contents database. The *advantages* of fetching
the Contents database is determined by the method you choose to make
the database (see chapter 7, `MAKING NOT-INSTALLED DATABASES '). These
advantages include the ability to *view a listing of the files and
directories* associated with a package, the ability to *query files
and directories* to find out which packages relate to them, and the
ability to perform a *powersearch* on all the files and directories to
find the associated packages.
6.9. OPTIONS
-------------
*Remember:* If you want to download a different
distribution/architecture other than the default specified in your
configuration file, you must specify this on the commandline.
*--Packages* determines where you want the Packages database as well
as the Release data put when they are downloaded. The *DF argument*
implies that the databases will be put in your default directory (see
`swimrc(5)).' These databases can later be located by the major modes
*--initndb and --rebuildndb* just by using *DF* as an argument.
Alternatively, these databases can be put in any directory you choose
by providing a *directory as an argument*.
*--Contents* determines where you want the *Content-(architecture)*
`database(s)' put. (see --Packages).
*--onec* will download only one Contents-arch per
distribution/architecture specified on the commandline or by default.
*--Release_only* will download only the Release data for the
*swimz.list* or particular *Package(s)* mentioned on the command line.
*--dists* will only find the distribution which corresponds to the
argument provided this option.
*--arch* will only find the architecture which corresponds to the
argument provided this option. The different architecture needs to be
specified in swimz.list with a hyphen and the architecture appended to
deb (deb-(arch)).
6.10. B. downloading the important databases with apt, and maintenance
options.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
usage: *swim --apt*
options: *[--update] [--clean] [--autoclean] [--check]*
Please read section 6.1, `A. downloading the important databases with
--ftp. ' for more information.
*--update* calls *apt* to download the Packages databases.
*--clean* is a call to an *apt* option to remove any packages stored
in *apt's* storage area for downloaded packages. The default for this
storage area is */var/cache/apt/arhives*
*--autoclean* will only clean out packages which are not found in
apt's cache.
*--check* tests and updates apt's cache.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. MAKING NOT-INSTALLED DATABASES
----------------------------------
usage: swim --initndb
swim --ndb
swim --rebuildndb
options: [--Contents <target|FDBtarget|DF|FDBDF>]
[--main] [--contrib] [--non-free] [--non-us]
[--arch <architecture>] [--dists <distribution>]
[--dbpath <dir>] [--root <dir>] [--alt]
[--split_data <lines>] [-v] [--cron]
[targets|APT|DF]
7.1. OVERVIEW
--------------
The *not-installed database* provides swim with many capabilities like
the searching, and querying of packages which do not actually exist on
the live filesystem, as well as the ability to seamlessly install
packages while searching or quering, or the ability to fetch the
packages source code. The *virtual filesystem* is optional, but it is
highly recommended. These two major mode options set up these
databases, after determining the level of interaction which you want.
Whenever *swim* makes databases it thinks only in terms of one
distribution and one architecture. This keeps things logical. *swim*
does have the ability to take Packages files with multiple
architectures, and distributions, and to extract information for one
distribution and one archictecture to make its databases. This could
provide interesting information from dumps from *apt* (`apt-cache
dumpavail').
*--initndb* creates the initial not-installed databases for a
particular architecture and distribution, and *--rebuildndb* remakes
the not-installed databases for that same architecure and
distribution. If not otherwise specified *swim* *will use the values*
it finds in *swimrc* to determine what architecture and distribution
you want to use to make *swim's* databases. Otherwise...
7.2. OPTIONS
-------------
*--arch* allows an argument to override the *architecture* found in
*swimrc*.
*--dists* allows an argument to override the *distribution* found in
*swimrc*.
*--alt* is used for a distribution with a Debian archival structure,
but which has a different name. This allows for alternative
distributions.
When *APT* or *DF* are provided as arguments (see below), by default
the *Packages* which pertain to the sections found in *swimrc* will be
shown. If you only want certain sections you may specify them on the
command line. If you are not using *APT* or *DF*, it is a good idea to
make sure that either the sections found in *swimrc* or the sections
you put on the command line match the *Packages* you a targetting
because this is much more effecient.
*--main* will override the sections found in *swimrc*, and will use
this section.
*--contrib* will override the sections found in *swimrc*, and will use
this section
*--non-free* will override the sections found in *swimrc*, and will
use this section
*--non-us* will override the sections found in *swimrc*, and will use
this section
Global arguments *targets|APT|DF* must be used with either of these
two major modes to find the *Packages* databases. targets can be a
full path to one or a set of *Packages*. *APT* will use the *Packages*
found in */var/state/apt/lists*, and *DF* will use the Packages found
in the default directory for *swim* (see `--ftp'). If you use either
*APT* or *DF* you will be given an *interface* which allows you to
choose one *Packages* database for each section you would like to use
from the various sites. This *interface* shows the *site*, *date*,
*size* and *Release version* for each *Packages*.
*--cron* allows you to override the *interface* produced when *APT* or
*DF* is provided as an argument. This is useful if you want to
automate the database making process. *--cron* will choose the newest
`database(s),' if cron notices that the Release version has changed,
cron will not proceed, but will provide a warning instead. This allows
you to make the appropriate changes and choices.
*--Contents* can be give one of four arguments:
*1).* If you have a *Contents-(architecture)* database in a target
location you know about you may provide a path to the location. The
*Contents* database can be compressed.
*2).* If you prepend the path with the letters *FDB* (meaning flat
database) when the databases for swim are made, instead of using the
Contents database to make:
nfileindex-arch-dists.deb
nsearchindex-arch-dists.deb
ndirindex-arch-dists.deb
Only the *ncontentsindex-arch-dists.deb.gz* database will be made
which allows the ability to view file/dir listing for not-installed
packages, but does not provide the virtual file system or powersearch
capabilities which the other databases would have provided.
*3).* The argument *DF* may be used if you have used *--ftp* with the
*DF* argument to the option *--Contents* (see `--ftp'). In this case
it is assumed you are also using global arguments *DF* or *APT* for
the Packages databases. This will give you an *interface* (if --cron
isn't used) allowing you to choose one *Contents* database for the
particular distribution you want to make the databases for.
*4).* *FDB* does the same exact thing with *DF* as it does with the
before mentioned *FDBtarget*, and provides the *interface*.
*-v* will only work if you have dpkg installed. It allows swim to
verify *swim's* own built-in version comparison function with *dpkg's
version comparison function*. This is good for debugging purposes, and
produces a report called *.version_compare* in the same location that
*swim's* databases are made.
*--split_data* is only advantageous if *--Contents* is being used. See
*--initdb* for more information about the *--split_data* option.
See section 5.1, `Initial database making, and Rebuilding for an
Installed system. ' for options `--dbpath' and `--root'.
7.3. UPDATING
--------------
`--ndb' has the same options as --initndb and --rebuildndb except for
--split_data. It also has a new option `--nue' which will never have
to be used unless the experimental distribution or non-us section are
found in Contents (which presently isn't the case). `--check' prints
out the changes to STDERR, and the total to STDOUT without proceeding
with the update. `--status_only' can be used after a new package has
been installed to update the status, after which -qni and -qi will
correlate properly.
7.4. REBUILDING THE SEARCH
---------------------------
`--rebuildflatndb' serves the same purpose as --rebuildflatdb. See
section 5.3, `REBUILDING THE SEARCH '
7.5. FILES
-----------
Databases and reports which are made (arch = architecture dists =
distribution):
npackages-arch-dists.deb
nfileindex-arch-dists.deb requires <--Contents>
nstatusindex-arch-dists.deb
ngroupindex-arch-dists.deb
nsearchindex-arch-dists.deb
ndirindex-arch-dists.deb
.packagesdiff-arch-dists.deb requires <--Contents>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. PREPARING YOUR INSTALLATION FOR APT
---------------------------------------
usage: swim --audit
swim --status
swim -C
If you are using *apt* with *swim*, and this is the first time you are
using it with your installation, check your live installation with
this major mode. This is a call to *dpkg -C (--audit)*, and will show
any packages which are not properly configured or installed. If you
get any output, make corrections. The goal is to get absolutely no
output whatsoever because it is under these conditions that apt will
work properly. See the section 9.8, `REMOVING AN INSTALLED PACKAGE -
VIRTUAL OPTIONS ' with *-q* to remove the offending packages. You may
have to remove the package by hand under unusual situations like when
it is not just dependencies (see `-T') between packages keeping the
package from being removed perhaps due to a broken script (see
`--scripts'). In an extreme case you could manually remove the entry
for this package from the */var/lib/dpkg/status* database, and hunt
down and remove all the files associated with the package with *swim's
-l* option. When you are done if you still want some of the packages
you removed, use *apt* to reinstall them with *swim's -xyz* option.
Also, *apt* provides its own built-in method to clean up your system,
and will provide instructions, but you still may have to do some of
the cleaning yourself as discussed above.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. QUERYING THE INSTALLED AND NOT-INSTALLED DATABASES
------------------------------------------------------
usage: swim -q [-fpgn --dir] [targets | -S]
swim --query [-fpgn --dir] [targets | -S]
swim -qa || swim --query -a
options: [--total -t] [-i] [-l ? <[--df]>] [-d] [-c]
[--scripts] [--preinst] [--postinst] [--prerm]
[--postrm] [-v] [--dbpath <dir>] [--menu -m]
[--shlibs] [-T] [--pre_depends] [--depends]
[--recommends] [--suggests] [--conflicts]
[--replaces] [--provides] [--md5sum] [--root <dir>]
[--copyright] [--changelog] [--allgroups]
[--arch <architecture>] [--dists <distribution>]
[--ftp ? --source | --source_only ? <[--diff]>]
[--stdin] [--extract] <ALL|archive|PWD!archive>]
[-xyrz --remove ? <[--nz]>] [--purge] [--apt2df]
[--df2apt]
global arguments: *[targets | -S ? <\d{1,}>]*
Quering almost always involves using *-q or --query* with zero or one
or a combination of the *minor mode options* (package specification
options), and one or more (only one for `-g') targets specific to the
minor mode, or the results of a search (`-S'). [`-S' can be provided a
numerical argument pertaining to the past history.] This can be
combined with one or more options. The one exception is ``*swim -q
--allgroups*''.
*--query or -q* can be used by itself or with *-n* to query known
package names or package names with versions. ``*swim -q test1
test2_0.3-1*'' would produce the output:
test1_1.0-2
test2_0.3-1
9.1. MINOR MODES
-----------------
*-n* is the minor mode option to access the *not-installed system*, it
can be combined with the minor mode options *-a*, *-g*, *-f*, or it
can be used by itself.
*-a* allows *every package* on an installed or not-installed (*-n*)
system to be queried. ``*swim -qan*'' will show all the package names
with versions for the not-installed system
*-f* allows *files or directories* to be queried, when used without
any options the package name with version is shown. *--dir* will only
query directories, this is useful if you are not sure whether what you
are quering is a directory or a file. When a directory is queried,
swim shows all packages which exist below the queried directory.
``*swim -qf /*'' is exactly the same as ``*swim -qa*''. Hint: ``*swim
-qf .*'' and ``*swim -qf **'' are quite different, the first shows all
packages which exist below the current directory, and the second will
show the package which each file in the current directory comes from.
*-g* will query a *group* (also called a section, see subsection
9.5.3, `SECTION AND PRIORITY ')) of packages. Groups represent
subjects which packages with similiar characteristics are catagorized
by. To view all the groups found in an installed or not-installed
system use ``*swim -q --allgroups*'' or ``*swim -qn --allgroups*''.
``*swim -qg hamradio*'' or ``*swim -qng hamradio*'' shows all the
package names for the hamradio group.
*-p* is used to query a *Debian package*, these packages are
distinguished by their ``deb'' ending, but swim can tell whether a
file is a debian package even without the ending. Called without any
options the package name with version will be shown.
9.2. SPECIFYING THE DATABASES TO USE
-------------------------------------
*--dists* will use the databases for the argument given, otherwise the
databases pertaining to the value found in swimrc will be used.
*--arch* will use the databases for the argument given, otherwise the
databases pertaining to the value found in swimrc will be used.
Example: *swim -qat --arch hurd-i386 --dists unstable*
Assuming these databases exist this will show all packages and their
versions for the unstable distribution and architecture hurd-i386 even
if the values in *swimrc* are i386 and stable.
see section 6.1, `A. downloading the important databases with --ftp. '
and chapter 7, `MAKING NOT-INSTALLED DATABASES ' for more information
about the databases.
9.3. OPTIONS
-------------
*--total or -t* are *used to override the output suppressor*. The
output suppressor will not show output if a certain number of packages
is exceeded, instead it will show the number of packages you are
querying. This is useful for two reasons, first, knowing the number of
packages you are quering can be very informative, second, it gives you
a chance to add to the command line a pipe to a pager, ex: ``*swim
-qat | less*''. You can set the number that the output suppressor
works at as high or low as you want in the *swimrc(8)* file. By design
the *-t* option will have to be used if the *-i* option is used and
more than one package is being queried. This option can also be used
to alter the output of the various script options (--scripts,
--preinst, --postinst, --prerm, and --postrm).
*-i* provides *information* about each package being queried. The
format differs slightly for the installed packages versus the
not-installed packages. see section 9.5, `FORMAT ':
*-l* provides a listing of the files associated with a package. If the
option *--df* is provided as an argument, all the directories
associated with package will be shown. It is important to remember
that many packages provide directories which become important to them
after they are installed, so the option *--df* often provides
necessary information which *-l* called by itself would have not.
*-d* shows the documentation which the package provides found in
*/usr/doc/**, */usr/man/**, */usr/info/**. Other documentation which
the package may provide in a non-standard location will not be shown.
*-d* takes precedence over *-l*, so if *-l* is used on the command
line with *-d*, only the output for *-d* will be shown.
*-v* is a special option which works only with the minor mode *-p*. It
can be used with *-l*, *--df*, *-d*, to show the packages files and/or
directories in long format (`ls - l').
*-c* will show the configuration files packages use. If the package
does not have a configuration file then nothing will be shown. The
output will show the file and its path indented one space with the
*MD5 checksum*. This will not work with *-n*.
*--scripts* shows all scripts associated with a package with the name
of the script presented before each script in this way
*#####scriptname######*. If the scripts are called individually by
using the script options *--preinst*, *--postinst*, *--prerm*, or
*--postrm* no title is shown, this is nice for writing to a file. If
*-t* is used with the individual script options a title will be shown,
this makes sense because normally only individual packages would be
queried to write a script to a file, and *-t* wouldn't be used in this
situation. Scripts are the soul of Debianized packages allowing
packages to be installed, configured, and removed seamlessly and
cleanly under all kinds of conditions. These options do no work with
*-n*.
*--menu or -m* is used to view menufiles which belong to various
packages. If the package does not have a menufile nothing will be
shown. This option can be useful in troubleshooting a menu entry which
does not seem to work, or in finding out where the menu entry is.
*Joost Witteveen's Debian menu system* is a centralized program which
interacts with all kinds of menus. *Please read the documentation*
``*swim -qd menu*'' which comes with the menu package to find out
more. This will not work with *-n*.
*--shlibs* shows a list of shared libraries certain packages supply.
The *Debian Packaging Manual* (packaging-manual) provides detailed
information about the format of a shlibs file. This will not work with
*-n*.
*--md5sum* checks *MD5 checksums*. It can be used with *-l*, *-d*,
*-c*, or *-p*. If there are checksums available the md5sum result will
be either *OK*, *FAILED*, or *MISSING*. *MISSING* means that although
a checksum exists, the file can not be found. The result is put after
the file and its path and the *MD5 checksum* or the package name and
version and the *MD5 checksum*.
*--copyright* does a case insensitive search for copy or license in
the */usr/doc/packagename* directory. This should show how the package
relates to *Debian's Policy Manual*.
*--changelog* searches for any files in */usr/doc/packagename* which
look like changelogs. Debian packages always have a *Maintainer's*
changelog for the package. There may be a separate changelog kept by
the author of the program.
9.4. PACKAGE RELATIONSHIPS
---------------------------
*-T* shows all the package relationships of packages. Individual
package relationships can be viewed using *--pre_depends*,
*--depends*, *--recommends*, *--suggests*, *--replaces*, *--conflicts*
or *--provides*. Package relationships are the spirit of Debian
packages, here is a quick overview briefly reiterating what can be
found in the *Debian Packaging Manual*. *Package Maintainers* set
these relationships in control file fields of the same name.
*Dependencies* *Pre-depends* - means that the pre-depended package or
packages must be installed before the queried package can be
installed. Most packages which have pre-dependencies are usually
essential and required packages.
*Depends* - declares an absolute dependency to another package or
packages either *real or virtual*. The queried package cannot function
without this other package.
*Recommends* - declares a strong, but not absolute dependency to
another package or packages either *real or virtual*. You would
usually find the recommended package together with the queried package
in a normal installation.
*Suggests* - can be one or more packages either *real or virtual*
which would be useful to the queried package, but are not necessary.
*Alternative Packages*
*Conflicts* - is a package or packages either *real or virtual* which
would cause problems with the queried package, and would not be
allowed to be installed while the queried package was installed.
*Overwriting files and Replacing Packages*
*Replaces* - allows the queried package to replace another package or
packages by overwriting their files, after which the previous package
would be considered to have disappeared. Essentially this allows the
queried package to take over the package or packages. In a situation
where there was a Conflict between the queried package and these
packages this field would help determine which packages should be
removed.
*Virtual Packages*
*Provides* - declares a virtual package which may be mentioned in
*Depends*, *Recommends*, *Suggests*, or *Conflicts*. *Virtual
packages* allow one or more packages to share the same name of another
package, which means if the queried package has a reference to a
virtual package in one of the before mentioned package relationship
fields, then whatever packages provide the virtual package are also
being listed.
9.5. FORMAT
------------
*1). Installed system*
Package: name Status: hold ok installed
Version: 1.1-1 Essential: no
Section: namers Priority: extra
Installed-Size: 10 Source: generatename (2.0-1)
Maintainer: name <name@name.org>
Description: hostname maker
A nice way to figure out a hostname nobody
else has.
*2) Not-installed system*
Package: name Status: r> hold ok installed (1.1-1)
Version: 1.1-2 Essential: no
Section: names Priority: extra
Installed-Size: 11 Source: generatename (2.0-1)
Size: 43000 Architecture: i386
Distribution: experimental
Maintainer: name <name@name.org>
Description: hostname maker
A nice way to figure out a hostname nobody
else has.
There are several things to point out. The difference between the two
outputs relates to the addition of the Distribution, Size, and
Architecture fields for the not-installed query. Installed-Size is how
many kilobytes the package will occupy when it is unpacked, whereas
Size is the size in bytes of the package.
9.5.1. STATUS FIELD
--------------------
The Status field provides the installation status of the package, this
holds true for the not-installed query as well. In a sense, the
not-installed database isn't always not-installed. If the
not-installed package is actually already installed, and the version
numbers are exactly the same, then the status will be the same for
either query. If the not-installed package is not installed then the
status will be ``not-installed''. In cases where the not-installed
package is already installed, swim uses it's comparison function to
figure out whether it is a newer of older package which is installed.
In the above example, swim realizes the same package is installed, and
only the debian-revision has changed, hence the only difference is
that the revision number is greater ``r>'' for the not-installed
package. When only the debian-revision has changed it can safely be
assumed that the author (creator, programmer) of the same program has
not made any changes to the same program, but the Debian maintainer
has made a change to an aspect of the package like a change in the
script the package uses to properly install. You may have also noticed
that the status field shows the version number of the installed
package enclosed in parenthesis.
9.5.2. SOURCE FIELD
--------------------
The Source field is present in these examples, but the Source field
will not always be present for packages. In cases where the name of
the source package is the same as the the name found in the Package
field, and the version number of the source package is also the same
as found in the Version field, then there will be no Source field. In
the above examples there is a Source field. In this case name was
probably one of many packages generated from the source package called
generatename. In this particular example generatename also has its own
unique version number 2.0-1 enclosed in parentheses, if no version
number had been mentioned then the source package would have the same
version number as found in the Version field.
9.5.3. SECTION AND PRIORITY
----------------------------
Section shows the subject which a package is categorized with (see
`-g'). Priority shows how important the package is to have installed.
In the case of the not-installed databases the information for these
fields is almost always available from the Packages databases, but
this is not always the case for Debian packages. For packages which do
no provide this information swim will do its best to fill in the
blanks from information found in the installed and not-installed
databases. If proper information can not be found it will be indicated
as ``unavailable'' or ``unknown.'' Unavailable would indicate that
information about the package exists, but it is from a different
version (includes debian-revision), and no information exists for this
version. Unknown means no similiar package exists, and there is
absolutely no information about this package in the databases.
When a Debian package is queried using the *-p* option you will get
output like the first example shows, the status field is also
calculated.
9.6. FTP - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
---------------------------
For ftp capabilities swim uses the *swimz.list* to determine which
sites it will check for the requested packages. The first site which
fills the request will be used, otherwise *swim* will go through all
the sites avoiding repeats, and if no sites can fill the request,
*swim* will either quit or proceed on to check for another request.
*--ftp* allows the queried package, its source package, or just the
source package diff to be downloaded while being queried. This is
refered to as virtual downloading because the quering and the
downloading are seamless as though the package already exists locally.
This has to be used with the option *-n* because packages which which
are not part of the not-installed database are considered to already
have been downloaded. Packages which are already installed can be
downloaded or their source retrieved by setting up a database which
corresponds to these packages; if the installed packages belong to the
stable distribution, set-up the not-installed stable databases.
Packages or source code are placed in an area below the default
directory mirroring the remote directory they were downloaded from
after their size and modification times are checked for correct
values. This area is called the *DF* directory, and although this
directory mirrors remote directories, it is not an exact mirror, but
specific to the requirements of swim because code names for Release
versions are not taken into account. For real mirroring capabilities
there exist many excellent programs. If a package has a *MD5
checksum*, *--md5sum* will automatically be run and the value shown.
Regardless of whether or not the md5sum check is *OK* or not, the
package will still be put in the *DF* directory to allow the package
to be looked at, so watch the output from *--ftp* to check for *FAILED
md5sums*.
Packages or source code packages will not be downloaded again if they
are found in the *DF* directory unless their *upstream-version* has
changed in the not-installed database, if the packages are not in the
DF directory and the remote *upstream-version* is different than the
not-installed *upstream-version* then the packages will not be
downloaded until the not-installed database is updated or rebuilt to
reflect the version change. Changes in the package's
*upstream-version* indicates that the `author(s)' of the program have
made changes to the computer code for the program contained in the
package or the source code package. On the other hand, swim will check
for a *debian-revision* change at the remote site if the package can
not immediately be found. If the package's *debian-revision* has
changed and the package does not exist locally in the *DF* directory,
it will be downloaded. This is a nice feature, especially for the
unstable distribution, because it tends to extend the time needed
before the not-installed database has to be updated or rebuilt to
match the changes at remote sites.
*--source* is used with *--ftp* to download the source code package.
*--source_only* will download the source code package without the deb
package. *Source packages consist of three files*. The *source control
file* which ends in ``dsc'', the *original source archive* which is a
compressed tar file, and the *unified context diff* showing the
changes necessary to make the original source into Debian source. The
diff can be downloaded by itself if *--diff* is provided as an
argument to *--source or --source_only*.
For *apt* users: *apt* allows packages to be downloaded, but if more
than one package is required for the package relationships to be
proper, *apt* will download all these packages. *--ftp* allows
specific packages to be downloaded, packages from other architectures,
and source packages to be downloaded, here lies the advantage of this
option over using *-xyz --nz* (see below). If a particular package has
been dowloaded into the *DF* directory and it is needed by *apt* for
installation, simply copy or move the package from the *DF* directory
to */var/cache/apt/archives* before running *apt*, and the package
will not be downloaded by *apt* again; future versions of *swim* will
have an option to automatically accomplish this (see `--df2apt').
9.7. APT - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
---------------------------
apt-get(8) is a nice package relationship checker from the *apt*
package which figures out what needs to be done to properly install a
package or packages when one or more package names are provided to it.
*apt-get* will get all packages which are needed using a variety of
methods, and then *apt-get* interacts with *dpkg* in a way which
allows for a successful installation.
*-xyrz, --remove, and --nz* can be used if *apt-get* from the *apt*
package is installed. These options allow for what is refered to as
virtual installation/removal. It is prudent to always test what will
happen by using the *-x* option alone before actually proceeding with
the installation with the *-z* option. *-x* will actually simulate
what would happen in an installation, showing which and how many
packages will be changed, which and how many new packages will need to
be installed, which and how many packages will need to be removed, any
conflicts, and what needs to be configured. *-y* will automatically
answer yes to any prompts *apt-get* may produce allowing *apt-get* to
run non-interactively. *-z* as mentioned before actually proceeds with
the installation using *dpkg* after the *apt-get* gets the packages.
You can append a minus sign to a package name to cause it to be
removed. *--nz* when used as an optional argument with *-xz or -xyz*
will only download the packages into */var/cache/apt/archives* or into
whatever directory you configured for holding archives for *apt*.
*IMPORTANT*: *apt* makes it so easy to make changes to your
installation that it is highly recommended to do your research with
swim first. This can be done by checking package relationships,
file/dir listings, comparing the not-installed package to an installed
package if such exists, checking *--md5sum* and *-c* for the installed
package, and checking the Source field by running a *--search* (see
chapter 11, `SEARCHING ') to check to see how the source package has
been split into binary packages for the not-installed package versus
an installed package if such exists. Ofcourse, there are many other
things you could look at, and you can always do your research after
the fact. Presently *--db* is run only by hand, so you can check the
old state after an installation if you have not already run *--db*,
yourself.
9.8. REMOVING AN INSTALLED PACKAGE - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
-----------------------------------------------------
*--purge* uses *dpkg* to remove an installed package or packages and
the configuration files as shown with ``*swim -qc packagename*''.
*-r or --remove* removes an installed package or packages with *apt*,
but not the configuration files as shown with ``*swim -qc
packagename*''. You may also append a plus sign to a package name to
cause it to be installed. This option is used with -x or -x(y)z.
9.9. STDIN - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
-----------------------------
*--stdin* works with either *--ftp*, *-x*, *-xyz*, *-xz*, *--purge*,
*-r*, or *--remove*.
*--stdin* provides the *readline capabilities* commonly found in
shells allowing you to edit what is on the command line. You can edit
the command line, press enter and then recall the history, and make
more changes, or *type in exit to process the changed or unchanged
command line*. To find out more about what readline commands your
shell supports please read the man pages which apply to your shell.
Information for the bash shell can be found in `bash(1)' under the
title ``*Readline Command Names*''.
Example: ``*swim -qgnx --stdin hamradio*'' will list all the packages
from the not-installed hamradio group on the command line, this list
can be edited then submitted to *apt-get* for a simulated
installation. Another instance of *swim* can be run at the same time,
perhaps ``*swim -qinTg hamradio*'' to help in making editing decisions
for *--stdin*.
9.10. PACKAGE MANIPULATION - VIRTUAL OPTIONS
---------------------------------------------
*--extract* only works with the *minor mode -p* to extract parts or
all of a Debian package. If the *argument ALL* is provided then
*everything found in the package will be extracted* below the current
directory in the exact directories found in the package. A particular
*file may be extracted in its exact location* below the current
directory by *entering the exact path for the file* as shown by
``*swim -qpl*'' or ``*swim -qpd*'' as the argument. Alternativily, a
*file may be extracted in the current directory* regardless of its
proper location by *prepending PWD\! before the path* shown by ``*swim
-qpl*'' or ``*swim -qpd*''. Notice the backslash before the
exclamation point, this is because shells consider ! a special
character, so it has to be backslashed so that the shell knows that it
is not such a special character. Example: ``*swim -qpi --extract
PWD\!usr/bin/name --scripts name_1.1-2.deb*'' will extract the binary
name in the current directory from the name package, show information
for the name package, and show any scripts for the name package.
9.11. DATABASE LOCATIONS
-------------------------
*--dbpath* can be specified as an alternative location for where the
databases would be found. The default location is ``*/var/lib/dpkg*''.
An argument like ``*/otherstuff*'' can be provided, and then the
databases would be found here instead.
*--root* allows a database to be found for a Debian distribution
installed on a different partition. If the distribution is mounted on
*/New_Debian*, ``*/New_Debian*'' would be the argument to root. The
databases would be found for the Debian distribution installed on the
``*/New_Debian*'' partition.
*--dbpath and --root* can be used together. Given the previous two
examples, the databases would be found on
``*/New_Debian/otherstuff*'', assuming ``*/New_Debian/otherstuff*''
actually existed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. UPGRADING WITH APT
-----------------------
usage: *swim --apt*
options: *[-xyz] [--upgrade] [--dist_upgrade]*
*apt-get* provides powerful methods to change an installion. When
these methods are called using *--apt*, *swim* will not allow you to
proceed until you are absolutely sure this is what you want to do.
Before using these methods do a ``*swim --apt --update*'' so that
*apt-get* knows the newest versions of available packages. This major
mode requires a combination of *-x*, *-xz* or *-xyz* to be used along
with either *--upgrade* or *--dist_upgrade*. *-x* used alone will
simulate what would happen if *-xz or -xyz* were used (also see `-xyz'
above).
*--upgrade* is somewhat similiar to doing ``*swim -qatxz*'' except
that it is a more intelligent method because *apt* does some behind
the scene calculations in regards to package relationships, in fact
the ``*swim -qatxz*'' approach will provide totally different results,
or maybe these were the results you really wanted. ``*swim --apt
--upgrade -xz*'' is the prefered, proper, and built-in way provided by
*apt-get* to install the newest versions for all packages installed on
your system. This method will not install any newer versions of
packages which would change the install status of other packages.
Note: It is not recommended to combine the query option *-a* with *-xz
or -xyz*, but combining the query option *-a* just with *-x* can be
educational.
*--dist_upgrade* combines an *--upgrade* with the installation of
packages which are not installed. This method carefully examines
dependencies, and resolves conflicts, and given these factors it will
upgrade the most important packages before considering the
installation of less important packages. Less important packages will
be installed only if there are not any conflicts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. SEARCHING
--------------
usage: swim --search ? (--research || --refinesearch) <pattern(s)>
swim --powersearch ? (--research || --refinesearch) <pattern(s)>
swim --ps ? (--research || --refinesearch) <pattern(s)>
options: [-g] [-n] [--dbpath <dir>] [--root <dir>] [--no]
[--arch <architecture>] [--dists <distribution>
[--ftp ? --source | --source_only <[--diff]>]
[-xyrz --remove ? <[--nz]>] [--stdin] [--apt2df]
[--no] [--df2apt] [--purge] [<\d{1,}>]
[--dir] and no [-g]for --powersearch or --ps
11.1. OVERVIEW
---------------
*swim* provides two major types of searches. A search with *--search*
*searches package information* (see section 9.5, `FORMAT '), and a
search with *--powersearch or --ps* *searches package information, and
all files and/or directories associated with each package*.
The results of either of these searches can be *narrowed down* by
running a test search with *--research* (this step can be skipped)
and/or setting the results in stone with *--refinesearch*. *--search*
can be *narrowed down* initially by specifying a particular *group*,
and *--powersearch* can be *expanded* initially by specifying that
*directories* be searched as well as files. Both searches can *use the
same virtual options* which the major mode *-q or --query* use.
Generally, it is preferable to run a search, and then to provide the
results of a search (*using -S*) as an argument to *-q or --query*;
this allows the results of a search to be queried. Every time a search
is run the results are appended to the history, past searches can be
refined or researched by providing the numerical argument pertaining
to the history. \d{1,} is simply Perl notation meaning a number with
one of more digits.
*Perl regexps* (see `perlre(1p))' can be used to define the pattern
(string) provided as an argument to a search. Do not surround a
pattern in slashes, a slash is only used after all patterns and before
the *modifiers i and/or m* (swim supports these two modifiers). To
search for more than one pattern, patterns are separated with *bars
(|)*. Patterns may include *quatifiers, and metacharacters*, also
found in `egrep(1).'
If a search finds any packages which match the search, the package
information will be displayed as the package is found. The package
will only be shown once regardless of how many times it is found while
the search progresses. When the search is over the number of packages
found is shown.
*--search* provides a search of package information. This is similiar
to grepping ``*swim -qait*'' or ``*swim -qaint*'', but it is
significantly faster. A search can be performed on a particular group
by using *-g* with a group as an argument
*--powersearch* is somewhat similiar to ``*dpkg --search*'' which
searches all files and directories on an installed system, but it
combines *--search* with the file and/or directory search, and can
also be performed on a not-installed system. A *powersearch* is
significantly faster than the search which *dpkg* provides (even more
so when ```swim --ramdiskon --searchfile''' is used) and even more
importantly provides a logical output of the search (like ```swim -qi
packagename'''). By default a search of all directories is not
performed because usually this is redundant except in rare cases. To
enable a search of all directories use the *--dir* option.
11.2. NARROWING A PREVIOUS SEARCH
----------------------------------
*--research* allows the results of a previous search to be researched
without making the new results permanent.
*--refinesearch* allows the results of a previous search to be
researched while making the new results permanent.
*\d{1,}* is a numerical argument to refine or research a past search
from the history.
11.3. MINOR MODES
------------------
*-n* allows the not-installed databases to be searched. These
databases will not exist if the not-installed databases were made with
the FDB argument (see `--initndb').
*-g* (see -g above and section 9.1, `MINOR MODES ').
11.4. OTHER OPTIONS
--------------------
*--no* prevents normal output from a search, but does show how many
packages were found.
See the section ``section 9.2, `SPECIFYING THE DATABASES TO USE '''
for options *--arch*, *-dists*.
See the section ``section 9.6, `FTP - VIRTUAL OPTIONS ''' for *--ftp*,
*--source*, *--source_only*, *--diff*,
See the section ``section 9.7, `APT - VIRTUAL OPTIONS ''' for *-xyz*,
*--nz*, *--stdin*,
See the section ``section 9.8, `REMOVING AN INSTALLED PACKAGE -
VIRTUAL OPTIONS ''' for *--purge*, *--remove*, *-r*.
See the section ``section 9.11, `DATABASE LOCATIONS ''' for options
*--dbpath* and *--root*.
11.5. EXAMPLES
---------------
*swim -gn hamradio --search "radio network/i" --dbpath /test --arch
alpha*
will search the alpha architecture not-installed system databases in
the /test directory for all package information from the hamradio
group using the case insensitive pattern ``radio network''.
*swim --powersearch dpkg -xn*
will search the not-installed system databases for all package
information and all files using the case sensitive pattern dpkg, after
which apt-get will run a simulation of what would happen if it got and
installed these packages.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. RAMDISK
------------
usage: swim --ramdiskon
swim --ramdiskoff
options: [-n] [--searchfile] [--arch <architecture>]
[--dists <distribution>] [--dbpath] [--root]
no options for --ramdiskoff
12.1. OVERVIEW
---------------
A ramdisk can be mounted below the default path or the specified path
for the databases in the dramdisk directory. The ramdisk is used to
speed up powersearchs and/or file/dir listings for packages from the
not-installed system. Also, this is useful if a computer system is
heavily loaded with other processes using the memory, and the ramdisk
tends to persist even after being unmounted. Modern kernels usually
are built with support for ramdisks. If these options do not work the
kernel will need to be compiled to support ramdisks by answering yes
to RAM disk support. Perhaps the best *README* showing how to
configure and compile a kernel comes with the *kernel sources* in the
main directory.
*--ramdiskon* allows a ramdisk to be created and mounted. If called
with *-n* (not-installed databases) *ncontents-arch-dists.deb.gz* will
automatically be written to the mounted ramdisk. This provides faster
file/dir listing capabilities when using *-l*, *--df*, or *-d* when
querying the not-installed system. Faster powersearch capabilities are
available through the option *--searchfile*. If the search databases
are not already compressed, they will now be compressed, this usually
only needs to be done once or until the databases are updated or
rebuilt again. The search databases will then be written to the
mounted ramdisk. An installed system only writes the search databases
to the mounted ramdisk, so always use --searchfile when specifying
installed system databases.
*--ramdiskoff* is used to unmount the ramdisk. The not-installed
databases and the installed databases can not be simultaneously
provided by a mounted ramdisk, use *--ramdiskoff* first, then
*--ramdiskon* to install the other databases of choice. This also
pertains to different distributions and/or architectures.
See the section ``section 9.2, `SPECIFYING THE DATABASES TO USE '''
for options *--arch*, *-dists*.
See the section ``section 9.11, `DATABASE LOCATIONS ''' for options
*--dbpath* and *--root*.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. FILES
----------
Configuration files:
swimz.list
swimrc
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. SEE ALSO
-------------
`swimrc(5),' apt-get(8), sources.list(5), `dpkg(8)'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. BUGS
--------
Send directly to mttrader@access.mountain.net.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
swim
Jonathan D. Rosenbaum<mttrader@access.mountain.net> 15 June 1999