Create a debian package

Introduction#

This topic show how to create a debian package for software deployment.

RegExpTestor

This example show how I have created a package for my project RegExpTestor
So first of all, you have to create a tree. In my case I did this:

regexp_testor
├── DEBIAN
│   ├── control
│   └── postinst
├── opt
│   └── regexp_testor
│       ├── Icon
│       │   └── 48x48
│       │       └── regexp_testor_icon.png
│       └── regexp_testor
└── usr
    ├── bin
    └── share
        ├── applications
        │   └── regexp_testor.desktop
        └── icons
            └── hicolor
                └── 48x48
                    └── apps
                        └── regexp_testor_icon.png

control and postinst are script files without extension with 755 right
regexp_testor is my binary
regexp_testor.desktop is to add a shortcut in the menu

Now the content of files:

control file:

Package: regexp-testor
Version: 1.0
Section: devel
Priority: optional
Architecture: amd64
Depends: qt5-default
Maintainer: thibDev <your@email.com>
Homepage: https://github.com/thibDev
Description: RegExp testor
 RegExp testor is a regular expression testor like the rubular.com website.

postinst file:

#!/bin/bash
echo "Create a symbolic link towards the binary"
sudo ln -s /opt/regexp_testor/regexp_testor /usr/bin
echo "Enjoy ;)"

regexp_testor.desktop file:

[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=RegExp testor
GenericName=RegExp testor
Comment=A regular expression testor like the rubular.com website
Exec=/opt/regexp_testor/regexp_testor
Terminal=false
MimeType=text/plain;
Icon=regexp_testor_icon
Categories=Development;
StartupNotify=true

Now you have everything you need to create your package ! Follow these steps

move into the folder that contain your package
run sudo dpkg-deb --build package_name

You have your package !