How to create .deb packages on Mac OS X

Question

I am trying to upload my app on Cydia and it requires .deb package. I am unable to figure out how to make .deb packages on mac. I am using 10.6.3 when I write this command on terminal

dpkg-deb -b MyProgram

Terminal output is

-bash: dpkg-deb: command not found

I've install fink, Mac ports insert Mac DVD to find out but nothing helps.

Answer 1

I installed mac ports 1.7 through terminal as no package is available.

After that I installed Mac ports 1.9 through installer.

Then goto this path /opt/local/bin and run sudo port selfupdate

after that execute sudo port install dpkg

it will take some time and after that your dpkg is successfully configured.

Run this command sudo dpkg-deb -b MyProgram to make MyProgram.deb

Note MyProgram should contain DEBIAN folder and under that control file remove txt extention

Below is control file

Website: www.zeeshanullah.com
Maintainer: zeeshanullah <[e-mail]>
Name: Snapture
Package: zeeshanullah
Section: zeeshanullah
Version: 2.x.x
Architecture: iphoneos-arm
Description: GPS joke.
Sponsor: zeeshanullah.com <zeeshanullah>

dont forget to place a new line at the end of control file otherwise you will get an error.

Answer 2

Best option is to use FPM and you can create it in 50 secs: fpm

Answer 3

You need Xcode installed on your system before using mac ports - you find it on the second mac DVD, I think. After that, you can install mac ports and then via the Terminal type "sudo port install dpkg", press return and enter your password. It may take some time to compile. You tried that?

Answer 4

i think these links can be useful for you:

How to make a deb on mac

Using ant to create deb

Answer 5

It's available on Homebrew:

brew install dpkg

If you don't have Homebrew installed, go to brew.sh. It's a simple one-liner to install.

Homebrew is less invasive, less complicated, and more popular than Macports or similar.