Installing .rpm package after converting it into .deb package.

There are times when we need to install an application that is only available in .rpm package in Debian GNU/Linux or Ubuntu operating system. One of the main obstacles is that Debian / Ubuntu are using .deb based packaging system which is incompatible with RPM. However we can easily convert RPM package to .deb and install it afterwards, here’s how to do it :
Install alien, it is available in Debian, Ubuntu repository:

     sudo apt-get install alien

Convert rpm package using command

sudo alien -kc some-binary-package.rpm

This will save the file as a deb package in the same directory. We can install it by double clicking it and invoking software manager or by using this command:

sudo dpkg -i some-binary-package.deb

 

Fixing dependencies:

If there is some dependency problem it may give error. Update the system with this command:

sudo apt-get install update
sudo apt-get install upgrade

If there is any dependency problem it may solve it. If not use following command:

sudo apt-get install -f

It should be fine. If there is any further problem, we may try “apt-get install -h” or “dpkg -h” for help.

© Sandeep Bhalla