I want a package list from my linux system. When I install a program/package there are many things downloaded. For instance, zim has 503 files associated with it (using $ dpkg -L zim |wc) and its has 28 dependencies ($ apt-cache depends zim |wc). My question is, how can I get a list of only the basic program names in my system such as just ZIM, Nautilus, Disks, etc with no dependencies and no names of the files in the zim package?
I can't provide an authoritative answer here sorry, (also I like thinking in terms of packages not app-names thus I will be off-tangent anyway sorry), but as a user I usually only installed packages that I know are programs, and it's my manually installed packages that really concern me anyway.
I'll thus use
apt list --manual-installed
One reason for this, is if I make a mistake or stuff up my system, I know I can fix most issues with a non-destructive re-install where system directories get wiped, new system gets re-installed from install media, then the manually installed packages I had, if not present on the newly installed system get auto-reinstalled from Ubuntu repositories (if available for the release I'm using & internet is available during install... the release may seem obvious, but you can use this method to re-install a different release to what you were using thus why I mention it).
This isn't what you're looking for, but its what your question reminded me of, and its something we at Lubuntu actually QA-test for regularly (ie. non-destructive reinstall including re-install of manually installed packages). Its not unique to Lubuntu either, it applies to all flavors and Ubuntu Desktop too, though due to Ubuntu Desktop not including 'universe' by default its easier with flavors.
OR, given I see that the OP has come back online briefly - Daryl you could try the following, and if you like it, let me know and I will put together a simple way to make a file of it for your own use.
I expected to be back sooner, in response to some input from the OP, but that has not happened, perhaps we have our wires crossed, and he was expecting me?
So rather than keep any others waiting who may make use of this -
I had explored at least three other options, one generated about 5,000 lines, another similar, and the third about 1,250 lines.
My preferred option is the one as listed in the previous Post.
With that option, in this Linux Mint I am currently writing from within, I get a nice, alphabetised list of only 154 lines, much more palatable than the alternatives.
The way I turn that output into a file is likely known to many, and that is by use of a redirect operand, delineated as
Code:
>
So I choose a filename, in this case, apps-sort.txt