Fixing broken packages in Debian systems

Package Repair

© stylephotographs, 123RF.com

© stylephotographs, 123RF.com

Article from Issue 196/2017
Author(s):

When human error stumps the Debian package manager, familiar tools like apt-get, aptitude, and dpkg can help restore functionality.

The Debian package manager pioneered automatic dependency resolution during software installation. However, like any software, it cannot protect against human error. Maybe you installed the wrong package from Testing or Unstable repositories or gambled on Experimental. Maybe you installed a flawed third-party package or mixed packages from different Debian derivatives. Or maybe the maintainer made a mistake or a major technology change has happened, and you are not to blame at all. But in all of these cases, you either receive an error message (Figure 1) or a ranked list of possible solutions (Figure 2), and suddenly you are unable to install, remove, or update anything until the problem completes its efforts and returns you to a waiting command prompt.

Figure 1: A dependency problem with an error message, but no suggested solution.
Figure 2: A suggested solution for a dependency problem. Notice the score assessing the problem.

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