.TH dpkg\-divert 8 "2006-05-23" "Debian Project" "dpkg utilities"
.SH NAME
dpkg\-divert - override a package's version of a file
.
.SH SYNOPSIS
.B dpkg\-divert
.RI [ options ]
.RB [ \-\-add ]
.I <file>
.br
.B dpkg\-divert
.RI [ options ]
.B \-\-remove
.I <file>
.br
.B dpkg\-divert
.RI [ options ]
.B \-\-list
.I <glob-pattern>
.br
.B dpkg\-divert
.RI [ options ]
.B \-\-truename
.I <file>
.
.SH DESCRIPTION
File `diversions' are a way of forcing
.BR 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 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.
.sp
.B 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 \fB\-\-add\fP, \fB\-\-remove\fP, and \fB\-\-list\fP,
respectively. Additionally, it can print out the real name for a diverted
file with \fB\-\-truename\fP. Other options (listed below) may also be
specified.
.SH OPTIONS
.TP
.BI \-\-admindir " <directory>"
Set the dpkg data directory to \fI<directory>\fP (default: \fI/var/lib/dpkg\fP).
.TP
.BI \-\-divert " <divert-to>"
\fI<divert-to>\fP is the location where the versions of \fI<file>\fP, as
provided by other packages, will be diverted.
.TP
.B \-\-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.
.TP
.BI \-\-package " <package>"
\fI<package>\fP is the name of a package whose copy of \fI<file>\fP will not
be diverted. i.e. \fI<file>\fP will be diverted for all packages except
\fI<package>\fP.
.TP
.B \-\-quiet
Quiet mode, i.e. no verbose output.
.TP
.B \-\-rename
Actually move the file aside (or back). dpkg\-divert will abort operation
in case the destination file already exists.
.TP
.B \-\-test
Test mode, i.e. don't actually perform any changes, just demonstrate.
.TP
.B \-\-help
Output short usage instructions, and exit successfully.
.TP
.B \-\-version
Output program name and version and exit successfully.
.
.SH NOTES
When adding, default is \fB\-\-local\fP and \fB\-\-divert\fP
\fI<original>.distrib\fP. When removing, \fB\-\-package\fP or \fB\-\-local\fP
and \fB\-\-divert\fP must match if specified.

Directories can't be diverted with \fBdpkg\-divert\fP.

Care should be taken when diverting shared libraries, \fBldconfig\fP(8)
creates a symbolic link based on the DT_SONAME field embedded in the library.
Because ldconfig doesn't 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.
.
.SH EXAMPLES
To divert all copies of a \fI/usr/bin/example\fR to \fI/usr/bin/example.foo\fR,
i.e. directs all packages providing \fI/usr/bin/example\fR to install it as
\fI/usr/bin/example.foo\fR, performing the rename if required:
.HP
dpkg-divert \-\-divert /usr/bin/example.foo \-\-rename /usr/bin/example
.PP
To remove that diversion:
.HP
dpkg-divert \-\-rename \-\-remove /usr/bin/example

.PP
To divert any package trying to install \fI/usr/bin/example\fR to
\fI/usr/bin/example.foo\fR, except your own \fIwibble\fR package:
.HP
dpkg-divert \-\-package wibble \-\-divert /usr/bin/example.foo \-\-rename /usr/bin/example
.PP
To remove that diversion:
.HP
dpkg-divert \-\-package wibble \-\-rename \-\-remove /usr/bin/example
.
.SH FILES
.TP
.I /var/lib/dpkg/diversions
File which contains the current list of diversions of the system. It is
located in the dpkg administration directory, along with other files
important to dpkg, such as `status' or `available'.
.br
Note: \fBdpkg\-divert\fP preserves the old copy of this file, with extension
"\-old", before replacing it with the new one.
.
.SH SEE ALSO
.BR dpkg (1).
.SH AUTHOR
Copyright (C) 1995 Ian Jackson.
.sp
This is free software; see the GNU General Public Licence
version 2 or later for copying conditions. There is NO warranty.