How to list dependencies shown from the output of apt install across multiple lines?

uk1

4/21/23, 11:23 PM

I am trying to use apt to install a new package and the confirmation screen shows all dependencies in a single line.

Example Output: screenshot showing output of apt install postgresql

Please ignore the -y flag in the screenshot. I don't usually use the -y flag but didn't have any other screenshot to share hence used the one with the -y flag present.

(base) uk@uk-Latitude-7280:~$ sudo apt-get -y install postgresql
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following additional packages will be installed:
 libcommon-sense-perl libjson-perl libjson-xs-perl libpq5 libtypes-serialiser-perl >pgdg-keyring postgresql-14 postgresql-client-14 postgresql-client-common >postgresql->common sysstat
Suggested packages:
 postgresql-doc postgresql-doc-14 isag
The following NEW packages will be installed:
 libcommon-sense-perl libjson-perl libjson-xs-perl libtypes-serialiser-perl >pgdg->keyring postgresql postgresql-14 postgresql-client-14 postgresql-client-common >postgresql-common
 sysstat
The following packages will be upgraded:
 libpq5

Expected output:

(base) uk@uk-Latitude-7280:~$ sudo apt-get -y install postgresql
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following additional packages will be installed:
 libcommon-sense-perl 
 libjson-perl 
 libjson-xs-perl 
 libpq5 
 libtypes-serialiser-perl
 pgdg-keyring
 postgresql-14
 postgresql-client-14
 postgresql-client-common
 postgresql-common
 sysstat
Suggested packages:
 postgresql-doc
 postgresql-doc-14
 isag
The following NEW packages will be installed:
 libcommon-sense-perl
 libjson-perl
 libjson-xs-perl
 libtypes-serialiser-perl
 pgdg-keyring
 postgresql
 postgresql-14
 postgresql-client-14
 postgresql-client-common
 postgresql-common
 sysstat
The following packages will be upgraded:
 libpq5

Edit: Added clarity around the -y flag used within the screenshot.

0 + 0

package-management

apt

software-installation

guiverc

4/21/23, 11:28 PM

What does it matter; you've used `-y` which means you're not reading that output & have given permission for it to be operated on regards of any provided output. Your use case makes no sense (*multiple lines also creates problems for those that read the output of installed packages as it can exceed the lines of display rather easily; but in your case you're not even reading that output*)

Bodo

4/21/23, 11:45 PM

You could try the interactive mode of `aptitude`. It will show the planned actions one per line before starting the installation/removal process.

uk1

4/22/23, 12:18 AM

@guiverc Well in this particular instance I used the `-y` flag because I knew the list of dependencies that would be installed but I seldom use that flag. Just that I didn't have any other screenshot to upload to show as a reference to what I am after hence I had to use the one that I had while installing this particular package. I understand the repercussions of multiple lines but still for smaller set of dependencies, multiple lines makes them easier to read.

user535733

4/22/23, 12:45 AM

Hmmm. In 16 years of using Debian and Ubuntu, I've not seen such an option to format apt output (there are a couple options, but not multi-line). So if it's there at all, it's well hidden.

Elon Musk

I sit in a Tesla and translated this thread with Ai:

EN: How to list dependencies shown from the output of apt install across multiple lines?

TH: จะแสดงรายการการอ้างอิงที่แสดงจากเอาต์พุตของ apt install ในหลายบรรทัดได้อย่างไร

RO: Cum să enumerați dependențele afișate din rezultatul apt install pe mai multe linii?

RU: Как перечислить зависимости, показанные на выходе apt install, в нескольких строках?

VI: Làm cách nào để liệt kê các phụ thuộc được hiển thị từ đầu ra của cài đặt apt trên nhiều dòng?

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