deb-reversion - simple script to change the version of a DEB file.

deb-reversion unpacks the specified DEB file, changes the version number in the relevant locations, appends a Debian changelog entry with the specified contents, and creates a new DEB file with the updated version.

By default, the tool creates a new version number suitable for local changes, such that the new package will be greater than the current one, but lesser than any future, official Debian packages. With -v, the version number can be specified directly. Contrariwise, the -c simply calculates the new version number but does not generate a new package.

With -k, a hook script may be specified, which is run on the unpacked binary packages just before it is repacked. If you want to write changelog entries from within the hook, use dch -a -- your message.

More information is available by calling deb-reversion with the -h command line switch.

deb-reversion is a tool intended to help porters (e.g. amd64) with modifying packages for other architectures, and to augment deb-repack, which creates modified packages with identical version numbers as the official packages. Chaos will ensue! With deb-reversion, a proper version number can be selected, which does not obstruct the next official release but can be specifically pinned with APT or held with dpkg.

Please take note that deb-reversion does not come without problems. While it works fine in most cases, it may just not in yours. Especially, please consider that it changes binary packages (only!) and hence can break strict versioned dependencies between binary packages generated from the same source.

You are using this tool at your own risk and I shall not shed a tear if your gerbil goes up in flames, your microwave attacks the stereo, or the angry slamming of your fist spills your coffee into the keyboard, which sets of a chain reaction resulting in a vast amount of money transfered from your account to mine.

deb-reversion is (c) 2004-5 by martin f. krafft

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the Artistic License: http://www.opensource.org/licenses/artistic-license.php: On Debian systems, the complete text of the Artistic License can be found in /usr/share/common-licenses/Artistic.

This manual page was written by martin f. krafft <madduck@debian.org>.