On Mon, Apr 30, 2001 at 08:26:40AM +0100, Viktor Lakics wrote: > Hi All, > > I never needed to compile the kernel until now. I have to patch the > kernel, and I would like to know what libraries, packages, programs > I need to have on my machine (except the kernel source an headers) > in order to do this? > > I run potato 2.2r3 stable, and at isnstall time I mostly skipped > development packages, but I do not want to just install loads of C > development packages which i do not need... > > Is there a simple way to prepare myself for this event (in addition > to lots of coffeine)?
apt-get -fu --no-act install <package name> will tell you which packages will be installed, including the ones on which <package name> depends. It does not, however, install recommended or suggested packages or indicate that these are available. This can cause problems. For example, compiling a kernel on an i386 machine requires bin86 but this is a suggested package. One route to prepare yourself would be to read the package descriptions, paying attention to the `Depends:', `Recommends:' and `Suggests:' lines. apt-cache show <package name> is a quick way to do this. Brian.
