Some guidance with apt and file extraction after deb.packages d/l plz?

[Chaganja]

im having issues extracting .DEB and other like packages/files (Debian specific and correct architecture) from the Debian packages site most often and they need to be extracted/uncompressed, im not doing it correctly!, i use apt-get apt install in "what i think" is the proper way of doing so, once the download is complete i apt-get update, then i try apt install files while on the directory path the file is in, the output is unfortunate:
-
root@Ron-mans-iMac:/var/cache/apt/archives# sudo apt install bzip2_1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1_amd64.deb
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package bzip2_1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1_amd64.deb
E: Couldn't find any package by glob 'bzip2_1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1_amd64.deb'
E: Couldn't find any package by regex 'bzip2_1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1_amd64.deb'
what am i doin wrong you guys?, apart from getting other dependancies im going to need as well but i fear i will be faced with the same issue with the dependancies, thank you all for the help and apologys for the length of my question, its my 1st post

 

[f33dm3bits]

You can just install it using apt, like this.

sudo apt install bzip2

Unless you are wanting to install that specific version you can just do this.

sudo dpkg -i bzip2_1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1_amd64.deb

 

[KGIII]

I believe you're missing this, assuming you're in the right directory:

./

Also, why are you in that directory? Downloaded .deb files go just fine in the $HOME/Downloads folder. You don't need to keep them around after installation. Putting them in system folders yourself is not really needed.

 

[Alexzee]

Once you know your package management system things will make more sense.

Chapter 8. The Debian package management tools

 

[stan]

I've always found gdebi to be a nice program to install .deb files. Just download the .deb file, double-click on it, and follow the prompts. It also takes care of dependencies.

 

[Chaganja]

im not sure why none of the above options are working for me, thats one reason im asking here, i just get a 'could not find file/does not exist' response, wild...

 

[Chaganja]

Once you know your package management system things will make more sense.

Chapter 8. The Debian package management tools

helpful site thanks!, i hope so because this dont make much sense, ive tried a few different ways now, none have worked to where i can use any of the programs ive downloaded

 

[stan]

i just get a 'could not find file/does not exist' response,

You won't get that response if you double-click the file from your file manager. Try gdebi.

Or review @KGIII's post #3 above. That may be your issue.

 

[Chaganja]

You can just install it using apt, like this.

sudo apt install bzip2

Unless you are wanting to install that specific version you can just do this.

sudo dpkg -i bzip2_1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1_amd64.deb

'bzip2 is already the newest version (1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1).
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.' or 'E: Unable to locate package bzip2_1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1_amd64.deb' is all i get back , ive even tried watching Youtube videos on it to figure it out but havent done so yet, it has worked for me in the recent past too tho just recently it hasnt been working out so well

 

[Chaganja]

You won't get that response if you double-click the file from your file manager. Try gdebi.

Or review @KGIII's post #3 above. That may be your issue.

well ok so where do i have it opened up in GDebi what should i have GDebi do with the file because im quite sure ive already tried this but perhaps i just chose the wrong option?, reinstall or download?, because i get one response from an above option in terminal that says its already the lastest version haha

 

[stan]

'bzip2 is already the newest version (1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1).

It's already installed, so it won't install again. Try these in terminal:

which bzip2

and

bzip2 --version

The first one should reply: /bin/bzip2

The second one should reply: Version 1.0.6 (with some other info with it)

 

[stan]

Are you running Debian? If not, what distro are you using?

 

[Chaganja]

Are you running Debian? If not, what distro are you using?

yes they reply just how you say and yes Debian 10 here

 

[stan]

sudo apt install bzip2_1.0.6-9.2~deb10u1_amd64.deb

This above is not the correct way to download and install a .deb file. I get the same response as you did. But you don't need to install bzip2 because it's already installed. So what do you want to do with bzip2? Or do you want to download and install something else?

 

[Chaganja]

I believe you're missing this, assuming you're in the right directory:

./

Also, why are you in that directory? Downloaded .deb files go just fine in the $HOME/Downloads folder. You don't need to keep them around after installation. Putting them in system folders yourself is not really needed.

definitely not fully experienced inside the forest of the filesystem yet but im getting it together, what directory should i be in?, i wasnt fully aware i didint need to be in that dir but it was something i just tried anyways to see if it would make a difference

 

[stan]

In post #1, you show you were logged in as root, and you were in /var/cache/apt/archives directory. I have no idea why you were there. Download files to your Downloads folder (in your home folder). That is the best place to start. If you install a .deb file from you Downloads folder, it should install into the proper place. After it's installed, you can delete the .deb file.

 

[stan]

I should have said... in your personal Downloads folder, in YOUR home directory. Not as root. You will usually use sudo to then install your programs instead of becoming root.

Or gdebi will ask for your sudo/root password, if you use that.

 

[Chaganja]

In post #1, you show you were logged in as root, and you were in /var/cache/apt/archives directory. I have no idea why you were there. Download files to your Downloads folder (in your home folder). That is the best place to start. If you install a .deb file from you Downloads folder, it should install into the proper place. After it's installed, you can delete the .deb file.

i only went into that directory out of desperation to see if it would make any difference, foolish perhaps i kno but evidently ive made a small mess of the situation because its not in Downloads honestly, it is in /usr/bin and /var/cache/apt/archives, this issue and getting better at finding out more where certain downloads go i need to get better at honestly yeah then ill be alot better off im just not able to understand why there not uncompressing like i think the ought to i guess

 

[stan]

This one, /bin/bzip2, is the installed executable file. My guess is that it was installed with Debian in the first place because it is a very old utility, at least back to 1996. I think you have been struggling needlessly over this. You will learn the filesystem in time, but if you are new you might also do more to harm your system. Take your time... don't do things in desperation. Mistakes are easier that way.

 

[Chaganja]

yes i think your more correct there its probably a needless struggle im willing to bet all mine usually are haha, i dont often hang out on my root acct tho for sure it is dangerous anyways, hopefully its not an ongoing issue and i figure this out soon enough like im hopin, i will for sure ;]