Learning Debian GNU/Linux

Using dselect

The dselect tool provides an easy-to-use, character-based graphical front-end for accesing dpkg. To launch dselect, issue the command:

dselect

Figure 3-2 shows the screen that appears. The screen presents a simple menu having six items:

Access

This menu item lets you choose the method used to access package files.

Update

This menu item lets you update the list of available packages.

Select

This menu item lets you choose packages for installation or removal.

Install

This menu item initiates installation of selected packages.

Config

This menu item initiates configuration of installed packages.

Remove

This menu item initiates removal of packages selection for removal.

Quit

This menu item exits dselect.

The menu items are generally used in the order in which they are presented.

Figure C-2. The dselect screen

Choosing the Access Method

To choose the access method, use the arrow keys to highlight the Access menu item and press Enter. The screen shown in Figure 3-3 appears.

Figure C-3. Choosing the access method

The most flexible access method—and the method that’s generally recommended—is apt. Other available options include:

cdrom

Lets you install packages from a CD-ROM. This access method has been deprecated; you should use multi_cd instead.

multi_cd

Lets you install packages from a multi-volume ...