Debian Software Packaging

Debian GNU/Linux is one of the largest Linux distributions. Porting software to the Debian GNU/Linux distribution is normally not a complicated task, but requires knowledge in how Debian works, behaves and the packaging procedure. If you want help with the porting process to publish your software as a Debian package, or even make it a part of the Debian GNU/Linux distribution, you have come to the right place.

Services

As you read this you probably want help with adaptation of your software to the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. The work needed for this varies a lot depending on the basic design of the software itself and its licensing.

  • Adaptation prestudy
  • License and copyright analysis
  • Software adaptation
  • Software packaging

Distribution methods

There are two major different ways to distribute your adapted software.

  • The way that require less investigations is to distribute it though your own software repository. That can be a simple homepage or a apt-compatible repository, preferrably created with debarchiver.
  • The other and preferred way is to distribute it as a part of the Debian GNU/Linux distribution itself.

There are advantages and disadvantages for the for each distribution method. To distribute your Debian adapted software though your own repository gives you most freedom, when it comes to licensing and when to release different versions of your software to different major versions of Debian. However if you can accept the extra work to include it as a part of the Debian GNU/Linux distribution itself, then you have a much larger userbase.

Experience

Inguza Technology AB has long time experience in software adaption to the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. Here are some of the aspects of that:

  • Debian package maintainer since year 2000
  • Currently maintains about 45 software packages
  • Currently co-maintain about 10 software packages
  • Currently sponsor about 40 software packages
  • Maintain large software packages such as:
    vnc (3 major versions), openvz and vserver
  • Maintain popular software packages such as:
    vnc (3 major versions), cron-apt and wwwconfig-common