Use apt to find a package in experimental

sleekmason · 2020-11-30 23:57:36

In order to find out which kernel images are in experimental, the method I've been using is

apt-cache search linux-image

which then gives a listing of every kernel available based on the sources enabled in /etc/apt/sources.list (or however configured).

This, providing:

deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ experimental main non-free contrib

is un-commented.

So, The question is:
Is there an apt one liner to give me the latest kernel version in experimental without having to enable the source first?

hhh · 2020-12-01 00:58:24

No. apt needs the source to know what repo to search.

Just use the Debian website and search for the package...

https://packages.debian.org/search?keyw … mage-amd64

Or enable the repo in your sources, apt update, search, then disable the source and apt update again.

You need to enable the source anyway to install a newer kernel, right?

sleekmason · 2020-12-01 01:50:28

Not so much for myself, but for somebody trying to verify the current kernel images in experimental vs whatever line I currently have in /auto/config for live-build.

Was hoping for some obscure line like this cool imagination:

apt-cache search http://deb.debian.org/debian -experimental --linux-image

Sounds like it isn't going to happen. No worries.

I posted the link to the experimental image, and instructions to add the source if desired. That works.

johnraff · 2020-12-01 04:58:54

sleekmason wrote:

Is there an apt one liner to give me the latest kernel version in experimental without having to enable the source first?

I haven't got time to check out the options right now, but I think there's a chance rmadison, in devscripts, might do this.

twoion · 2020-12-01 11:01:04

johnraff wrote:

sleekmason wrote:
Is there an apt one liner to give me the latest kernel version in experimental without having to enable the source first?
I haven't got time to check out the options right now, but I think there's a chance rmadison, in devscripts, might do this.

This is the answer. Use rmadison to query all Debian repos from the command line. It's what users of Unstable regularly use smile

 $ rmadison linux-image-amd64
linux-image-amd64 | 3.16+63+deb8u2          | oldoldstable      | amd64, i386
linux-image-amd64 | 4.9+80+deb9u11          | oldstable         | amd64
linux-image-amd64 | 4.19+105+deb10u4~bpo9+1 | stretch-backports | amd64
linux-image-amd64 | 4.19+105+deb10u6        | stable            | amd64
linux-image-amd64 | 4.19+105+deb10u8        | proposed-updates  | amd64
linux-image-amd64 | 5.8.10-1~bpo10+1        | buster-backports  | amd64
linux-image-amd64 | 5.9.9-1                 | testing           | amd64
linux-image-amd64 | 5.9.11-1                | unstable          | amd64
linux-image-amd64 | 5.10~rc4-1~exp1         | experimental      | amd64

For just experimental, use

 $ rmadison -s experimental linux-image-amd64
linux-image-amd64 | 5.10~rc4-1~exp1 | experimental | amd64

Alternatively, you can use the Debian API (https://ftp-team.pages.debian.net/dak/e … _package__) directly, e.g.

 $ curl "https://api.ftp-master.debian.org/madison?package=linux-image-amd64&s=experimental"
linux-image-amd64 | 5.10~rc4-1~exp1 | experimental | amd64

sleekmason · 2020-12-01 16:01:40

Ha! Thank you both. This is what I was hoping for:)

curl "https://api.ftp-master.debian.org/madison?package=linux-image-amd64&s=experimental"

Brilliant.
I'll put it up as the primary option.

Last edited by sleekmason (2020-12-01 16:02:24)

#1 2020-11-30 23:57:36

Use apt to find a package in experimental

#2 2020-12-01 00:58:24

Re: Use apt to find a package in experimental

#3 2020-12-01 01:50:28

Re: Use apt to find a package in experimental

#4 2020-12-01 04:58:54

Re: Use apt to find a package in experimental

#5 2020-12-01 11:01:04

Re: Use apt to find a package in experimental

#6 2020-12-01 16:01:40

Re: Use apt to find a package in experimental

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