What is Debuild?
Debuild is a command line tool that helps with building Debian binary packages. It streamlines several steps in the process of creating a installable .deb package from source code.
Some of the key things debuild does automatically:
- Runs the debian/rules build command to compile the source code and install it into a temporary location
- Ensures all necessary dependencies and packaging metadata is included
- Generates control files like debian/control with package dependencies and information
- Constructs the actual .deb package file with all installed files included
- Digitally signs the .deb file so the package system trusts it
- Uploads finished .deb packages to a repository like a PPA
In summary, debuild simplifies much of the boilerplate needed to go from a source tree with Debian packaging files to a final .deb package that users can install. It's a crucial tool for Debian/Ubuntu package maintainers and developers.