$ Linux Command

Packages

dpkg-split

Split and reassemble large Debian package archives.

debianpackagedpkgsplitjoin

Additional Notes

dpkg-split splits large .deb package files into smaller parts and reassembles them. This was originally designed for Debian packages that needed to fit on floppy disks. The split parts are numbered and can be transferred separately, then joined on the target system.

The split parts use a naming convention like package.deb.1, package.deb.2, etc. The first part contains a header that identifies the parts and allows automatic detection when joining. dpkg-split also has a queue mode where it monitors a directory for incoming split parts and automatically reassembles them when all parts arrive.

Syntax

dpkg-split [options] command [arguments]

Parameters

  • command: One of -s, -j, -I, -l, -a, -d, or --queue to specify the operation.

Common Commands

  • -s, --split archive [prefix]: Split a .deb file into parts. Optionally specify the output prefix.
  • -j, --join part1 part2 ...: Join split parts back into a single .deb file.
  • -I, --info part: Display information about a split part file.
  • -l, --list queue-directory: List parts in the automatic queue directory.
  • -a, --auto queue-directory part: Automatically queue a part for future joining.
  • -d, --discard queue-directory: Discard parts that cannot be joined.
  • --queue: Set the default queue directory.

Common Options

  • -o, --output file: Specify the output filename for a join operation.
  • -Q, --npquiet: Suppress messages when queuing parts that are not part of a multipart archive.
  • --msdos: Generate MS-DOS-compatible filenames (8.3 format).

Examples

dpkg-split -s large-package.deb

Split a .deb file into parts of the default maximum size (460 KB).

dpkg-split -s large-package.deb myprefix

Split with a custom filename prefix.

dpkg-split -j large-package.deb.1 large-package.deb.2 large-package.deb.3

Join parts back into the original archive.

dpkg-split -I large-package.deb.1

Show information about a specific split part file.

Practical Notes

  • The default part size is 460 KB, suitable for standard floppy disks. Use --split --maxparts to change it.
  • Modern systems rarely need dpkg-split for its original purpose, but it remains available in the dpkg package.
  • The automatic queue mode was designed for unattended joining of parts during package downloads over serial links.
  • dpkg-split is part of the dpkg package and is included by default on Debian-based systems.