[HOW-TO] Debian: Reinstall Packages Dependent By Meta

GraysonPeddie · Post by **GraysonPeddie** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:53 pm

Applies To

Debian
Debian-based Linux Distributions, such as:
- Ubuntu
- Mint
- Netrunner

Scenario

You wish to reinstall all packages that are dependent by a meta package.

Problem

If you execute the command:

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get install --reinstall kxstudio-meta-non-free

This will only install a meta package and nothing else.

Expected Result

Apt-Get should install all the dependencies that are part of the meta package.

Solution

Follow the instructions to create and give apt-reinstall-meta an executable permission.

Depending in your desktop environment:
1. For GNOME/Unity, open gnome-terminal.
2. For KDE, open up Konsole.
3. For XFCE including the others, run xterm.
As root, execute the following command into the terminal:
Code: Select all
```
sudo nano /usr/local/bin/apt-reinstall-meta
```
Enter your user password when prompted.

Copy the code into nano. In nano, hold Control + Shift and press V.

Code: Select all

#!/bin/bash

# Check if the user is in root mode
if [ "$(id -u)" != "0" ]
then
    echo "You must be rooted to install packages that are related to a meta package." 2>&1
    exit 1
fi

# Check to see if the meta package is not given by the user.
if [ -z "$1" ]
then
    echo "Example meta package: kubuntu-desktop"
    exit 1
fi

# Search for packages that is depended by the meta-package
# and ask the user if s/he wants to reinstall all the packages.
apt-cache depends $1 | awk -F ":" '{print $2}' | \
sed '/^$/d' | xargs sudo apt-get \
install --reinstall --install-recommends

exit 0

Do Ctrl+O and Ctrl+X to save and exit.

Execute the command to give apt-reinstall-meta an executable permission.
Code: Select all
```
sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/apt-reinstall-meta
```
You're done. Now execute whatever meta package you want to reinstall. This will reinstall all of the dependent packages. One example is kxstudio-meta-non-free.
Code: Select all
```
sudo apt-reinstall-meta kxstudio-meta-non-free
```

Remarks

This will check to see if you are running as root, check to be sure that the string is not empty, search for packages that is part of the meta package, and asks if you want to install them.

Credits