Debian Packaging: Build System Steps and Overrides

Creating packages for Debian-based systems requires a clear understanding of how source code is compiled, configured, and assembled. This course demystifies the internal build sequence, giving you complete control over how your software is packaged. You will transition from copying template files to confidently writing, customizing, and troubleshooting Debian build rules, learning how to intercept standard build phases to run custom scripts and manage dependencies. What you'll learn: • Understand the fundamental stages of the Debian package compilation and assembly process. • Explore the inner workings of debhelper and its standard sequence of helper tools. • Write clean overrides in the debian/rules file to customize specific build phases. • Implement modern packaging standards, including recent debhelper compatibility levels. • Integrate version control workflows using git-buildpackage. • Debug common build failures by analyzing execution logs. The course begins with foundational packaging concepts and terminology before guiding you through the step-by-step execution of a build, progressing to advanced customization techniques and modern workflow tools. This course is designed for developers, system administrators, and open-source contributors new to Debian packaging. No prior packaging experience is required. Start reading today to take control of your software distribution pipeline.