A question about apt-get update

sb73542 · 12-26-2003, 08:17 PM

Hi, I just install Debian Sid from MEPIS 2003.10. I'm coming from more of a Mandrake background.

I have a very slow dialup connection, so apt-get update takes quite a while. Is there any way to configure it so that subsequent updates come as a sort of diff file, in other words, if 5 packages were added or modifed since last update, I only want those lines to be downloaded and changed in my local machine. Thanks for the help!!

scheidel21 · 12-27-2003, 01:44 AM

Well I'm not sure if it's possible with apt-get.... I know some of the front ends, can do this. For instance aptitude an apt front-end that I like can do this. aptitude is console based utility using ncurses, it is menu driven and quite friendly, under the menus is the option to mark upgradeable if you select that option then select install packages it will only update packages that are installed and have newer versions. just make sure you keep your apt sources list updated.

--Alex

adz · 12-27-2003, 07:43 AM

If I understand you correctly then no that is not possible. The packages are divided up into groups and even if only one package is changed then you will have to download the whole list for that section (be it main, contrib or non-free). You see apt-get only check size and date. If it different, it downloads the list and checks it once it's got it.

scheidel21 · 12-27-2003, 02:25 PM

Ah I am sorry I think I misread you initial question. unfortunantly as far as I am aware there is no way to not update the list unless you download the whole file.

--Alex

sb73542 · 12-27-2003, 07:36 PM

Thank you both for your replies! I think I'm going to make a suggestion to the Debian team: It seems like it would be simple to have the debian package servers automatically compare updated pools (is that the correct term?) with the previous one and make a diff file (on the server side) that clients can download and merge with their existing lists. It would definitely save Debian bandwidth too; the main Debian unstable branch list is >2.7 MB, whereas a diff file would generally be only a few KB's. Thanks again!

adz · 12-27-2003, 11:03 PM

I doubt they would do that. That would require immeasurably more CPU power at the server (their) side. Besides, to make a comparison, both of the files have to be on the same computer so they'd either have to keep a huge backlog of list files on their servers or you'd have to upload your file. My advice to you is to do the update while doing something else like housework, shopping, eating, sleeping, etc.

sb73542 · 12-28-2003, 12:21 PM

Yes, I suppose so. Thanks for all the advice!