dpkg-divert(8)			dpkg utilities			dpkg-divert(8)



NAME
       dpkg-divert - override a packages version of a file

SYNOPSIS
       dpkg-divert [options] [--add] 
       dpkg-divert [options] --remove 
       dpkg-divert [options] --list 
       dpkg-divert [options] --truename 

DESCRIPTION
       File  diversions  are  a way of forcing dpkg(1) 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  pack
       ages  configuration  file, or whenever some files (which arent 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 diver
       sions. It functions in three basic modes - adding, removing, and  list
       ing  diversions.   The options are --add, --remove, and --list, respec
       tively. Additionally, it can print out the real	name  for  a  diverted
       file  with  --truename. Other options (listed below) may also be speci
       fied.

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

       --divert 
	        is  the  location  where the versions of , as
	      provided by other packages, will be diverted.

       --local
	      Specifies that all packages versions of this file are diverted.
	      This  means,  that there are no exceptions, and whatever package
	      is installed, the file is diverted. This can be used by an admin
	      to install a locally modified version.

       --package 
	       is the name of a package whose copy of  will not
	      be diverted. i.e. 	will  be  diverted  for  all  packages
	      except .

       --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. dont actually perform any changes, just  demon
	      strate.

       --help Output short usage instructions, and exit successfully.

       --version
	      Output program name and version and exit successfully.

NOTES
       When  adding,  default is --local and --divert .distrib. When
       removing, --package or --local and --divert must match if specified.

       Directories cant be diverted with dpkg-divert.

       Care should be taken when diverting shared libraries, ldconfig(8)  cre
       ates  a	symbolic  link	based  on  the DT_SONAME field embedded in the
       library.  Because ldconfig doesnt honour diverts (only dpkg does), the
       symlink	may  end  up  pointing	at the diverted library, if a diverted
       library has the same SONAME as the undiverted one.

EXAMPLES
       To divert all copies of	a  /usr/bin/example  to  /usr/bin/example.foo,
       i.e.  directs  all packages providing /usr/bin/example to install it as
       /usr/bin/example.foo, performing the rename if required:

       dpkg-divert --divert /usr/bin/example.foo --rename /usr/bin/example

       To remove that diversion:

       dpkg-divert --rename --remove /usr/bin/example


       To  divert  any	package  trying   to   install	 /usr/bin/example   to
       /usr/bin/example.foo, except your own wibble package:

       dpkg-divert  --package  wibble  --divert  /usr/bin/example.foo --rename
	      /usr/bin/example

       To remove that diversion:

       dpkg-divert --package wibble --rename --remove /usr/bin/example

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

SEE ALSO
       dpkg(1).

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			  2006-05-23			dpkg-divert(8)