install all available packages with apt-get

thinkpadx30 · 08-06-2006, 01:04 PM

I am running the latest release of Debian Untested (x86)
Is there any way to install all packages available with apt-get?

Thanks!

leonscape · 08-06-2006, 06:35 PM

All of them? are you mad? thats over 18850 packages.

You could use "apt-cache dump | grep Package: | cut -c10-1000" to get a complete listing of all packages, with you could simply pipe into apt-get, but I still think your mad to try. Plus some of these packages might be incompatible so it might not even work.

jonaskoelker · 08-06-2006, 06:48 PM

No. Some of the packages conflict with other packages, meaning that if you have one installed, you cannot also have the other installed. Also, the download would be *EXTREMELY* large.

Why do you want to do that? To get the "complete debian experience"? If so, it's much better to search for the functionality you want, play with a few packages that seem to provide what you need, and stick to your favorite.

Tools you may be interested in getting acquainted with:

synaptic
apt-get
apt-cache
apt-file
apt-listbugs
apt-listchanges
vrms
deborphan (and orphaner, and editkeep)
apt-show-versions
fortunes-debian-hints
popularity-contest

If you're looking to "enhance your desktop experince", you may want to have a look at these packages (from my xsession): conky, unclutter, xfce4-iconbox, brightside, xplanet, khotkeys. Also, xset, xrdb and xprop are boring but useful (maybe).

thinkpadx30 · 08-07-2006, 08:42 AM

I switched to Debian from Fedora Core, when they released FC5. I was wondering if there is someway to install all pakages that will work with the computer that I don't already have. What if i download the 6 CDs for the non-network install?

thanks!

g-string 3 · 08-07-2006, 08:48 AM

Grab the double DVD version

thinkpadx30 · 08-07-2006, 09:01 AM

i dont have a dvd burner!

when i use apt-get like leonscape suggested,

Code:

apt-cache dump | grep Package: | cut -c10-1000

i get

Code:

bash: /usr/bin/apt-get: Argument list too long

jonaskoelker · 08-07-2006, 10:46 AM

How about this:

Code:

# apt-cache search '' | awk '{print $1}' #gives you a list of packages
# apt-cache search '' | awk '{print $1}' | xargs --delimiter=$'\n' apt-get install

It will invoke apt-get for each package.

However, it's still a bad idea, and you shouldn't do it. Also, as package conflicts start to appear, you'll remove some previously installed packages. True to the spirit of unix, I show you how to use the power tools; the decision whether or not to shoot yourself in the foot I leave up to you.

Advice: don't do it. Of course, you may be disinclined to take my advice at face value, so first learn how to use `apt-get remove --purge' :P

TReichert · 08-27-2006, 06:02 AM

Start dselect
Define Access and Update as usual.
Choose Select
Mark All packages
Press +
After that dselect presents you a list of conflicting packages with it's suggestions to resolve
Press U to accept this suggestions
Press Q to get back to dselect's main menu
Choose Install

Although this is not using apt-get directly, I posted this, to give a simple solution for users, who might use an interactive program.

Regards