/var/lib/dpkg/available is the file that keeps track of all packages currently available to be installed, based on the package info retrieved by apt-get update and your sources.list file.
/var/lib/dpkg/status is the database file that contains information about the state of all packages currently install, removed, etc from your system. As a side note, never delete the status file by mistake, I did, and now I have to reinstall my entire system to get things back to normal. If you are going to do any manipulation or modification of these files, make SURE you make backups. I wish I had. Regards, Todd On Sun, 12 Dec 1999, Salman Ahmed wrote: > What is the difference b/w /var/lib/dpkg/status and > /var/lib/dpkg/available ? > > I am experimenting with a Java application to list/display detailed > information on all installed packages on a Debian system but can't be > sure which file to start with - /var/lib/dpkg/status or > /var/lib/dpkg/available ? > > Also, where can I find detailed documentation on the files (and their > format) in /var/lib/dpkg ? > > Thanks. > > -- > Salman Ahmed > ssahmed AT pathcom DOT com > > > -- > Unsubscribe? mail -s unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] < /dev/null
