dpkgdivert

dpkg-divert is a tool in the Debian package management system (dpkg) that manages file diversions. It allows packages to install files that would conflict with existing ones by renaming or relocating the existing file and providing a replacement, while preserving the original.

Diversions are tracked by dpkg and stored in /var/lib/dpkg/diversions. Each diversion associates an original path with a diverted path and a package name, and can be created with options such as --divert, --rename, and --add. The --package option can be used to assign a package to the diversion.

Typical usage: To divert a file, you run something like: dpkg-divert --divert /path/to/file.distrib --rename /path/to/file. To remove the diversion, you run: dpkg-divert --rename --remove /path/to/file. The specific options may vary by version; consult the manpage.

Behavior: The diversion ensures that the original path is not overwritten by another package, preventing conflicts during installation, and letting you restore the original by removing the diversion. It is often used when local modifications must be preserved or when loading alternative implementations.

See also: dpkg, file diversions, manual pages.