How to make an intaller for your Ubuntu/Debian application
It requires some study for a beginner to make his first Ubuntu (or Debian) installer (a .deb file). But it’s not easy to find the good study materials on the Internet, because there are relatively few. This page compiles the links I collected, for reference.
Ubuntu and Debian share a lot in common. So it’s almost the same process to make an installer (a .deb file) for both systems, except for one thing: adding a “start menu” entry. So, I will first list materials good for both systems, and then separately give out stuff on how your installer can set up a Debian menu entry and how it can set up an Ubuntu menu entry for you application.
Build with dpkg-deb
Debian and Debian variants, like Ubuntu, are all shipped with its packaging utility “dpkg”. You need it to install or remove a package, you also need it to create a package (a .deb file).
- Debian Binary Package Building HOWTO: this is the most effective tutorial. You should be able to make a fully functional .deb file following it.
Write Linux Man Page
The materials listed above already talked about how to install man pages. The links given below talk about how to write a linux manual page for you application.
- Creating Linux Man Pages: a very short but functional example. It should be enough for not-very-complex man pages;
- Linux Man Page Howto: a quite complete document.
Set up a Debian Menu entry
When a user installs your application, you would like it if the user’s “start menu” contains an entry that could launch your software. This is set up during installation. Follow the references below, you will know how to make this happen on Debian.
- Debian Menu System: you only need to read to Chapter 4 of this document. Chapter 5 and after is for programmers who develop menu managers, like KDE or Gnome.
Set up an Ubuntu Menu entry
Ubuntu is different from Debian in its menu system. So, if you want your Ubuntu users to have a “start menu” entry, you should follow these instructions.
- Desktop Menu Specification: the Ubuntu menu system follows this implementation; jump to “Chapter C” if you already know the basics.
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