DPKG-DIVERT(T)            dpkg utilities           DPKG-DIVERT(T)



NAME
       dpkg-divert -- override a package's version of a file

SYNOPSIS
       dpkg-divert [options] [--add] <file>
       dpkg-divert [options] --remove <file>
       dpkg-divert [options] --list <glob-pattern>
       dpkg-divert [options] --truename <file>

DESCRIPTION
       File `diversions' are a way of forcing dpkg not to install
       a file into its location, but to  a  `diverted'  location.
       Diversions  can be used through the Debian package scripts
       to move a file away when  it  causes  a  conflict.  System
       administrators  can also use it to override some package's
       configuration file, or whenever some files  (which  aren't
       marked  as 'conffiles') need to be preserved by dpkg, when
       installing a newer version of  a  package  which  contains
       those files.

       dpkg-divert  is  the utility used to set up and update the
       list of diversions. It functions in three  basic  modes  -
       adding, removing, and listing diversions.  The options are
       --add, --remove, and --list,  respectively.  Additionally,
       it  can print out the real name for a diverted file. Other
       options (listed below) may also be specified.

OPTIONS
       --admindir <directory>
              Set  the  dpkg  data   directory   to   <directory>
              (default: /var/lib/dpkg).

       --divert <divert-to>
              <divert-to>  is  the  name  used by other packages'
              versions.

       --help Output the version and  the  short  usage  instruc-
              tions, and exit successfully.

       --local
              Specifies that all packages' versions are diverted.

       --package <package>
              <package> is the name of a package  whose  copy  of
              <file> will not be diverted.

       --quiet
              Quiet mode, i.e. no verbose output.

       --rename
              Actually move the file aside (or back). dpkg-divert
              will abort operation in case the  destination  file
              already exists.

       --test Test mode, i.e. don't actually perform any changes,
              just demonstrate.

       --version
              Output program name and version and  exit  success-
              fully.

NOTES
       When  adding,  default  is  --local  and  --divert <origi-
       nal>.distrib.  When removing,  --package  or  --local  and
       --divert must match if specified.
       Directories can't be diverted with dpkg-divert.

FILES
       /var/lib/dpkg/diversions
              File  which contains the current list of diversions
              of the system. It is located in the  dpkg  adminis-
              tration directory, along with other files important
              to dpkg, such as `status' or `available'.
              Note: dpkg-divert preserves the old  copy  of  this
              file,  with  extension  "-old", before replacing it
              with the new one.

SEE ALSO
       dpkg(g).

       Please read the  Debian  Packaging  Manual,  section  11.,
       "Diversions  -  overriding  a package's version of a file"
       for more information.

AUTHOR
       Copyright (C) 1995 Ian Jackson.

       This is free software; see the GNU General Public  Licence
       version  2  or  later for copying conditions.  There is NO
       warranty.



Debian Project            December 1999            DPKG-DIVERT(T)