apt-format-reverter

Converts the Deb822 format files (whether they have .sources or .list extension) to the legacy one-line format PURPOSE:

This script ensures all APT repository source files are in the correct format by converting any Deb822 format files (whether they have .sources or .list extension) to the traditional one-line format, while maintaining backups of the original files.

 

STEP-BY-STEP SETUP AND USAGE:

1. Download the script:

sudo curl -L "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bmcder/apt-format-converter/refs/heads/main/apt-format-reverter.sh" -o $output_file /usr/local/bin/apt-format-reverter

2. Make it executable

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/apt-format-reverter

3. Run the script:

sudo /usr/local/bin/apt-format-reverter  

KEY FUNCTIONS:

1. Backup:

   • Creates a timestamped backup directory in /var/tmp

   • Preserves the original directory structure and file permissions

   • Stores original files before any modifications

 

2. Format Detection and Conversion:

   • Scans both .sources and .list files in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/

   • Checks the main /etc/apt/sources.list file as well

   • Identifies Deb822 format by checking for the Types: field

   • Converts files to one-line format if necessary

   • Changes .sources files to .list extension after conversion

   • Preserves existing .list extension for files already using it

 

3. Format Translation:

   • Converts from Deb822 format:

     Types: deb 

     URIs: http://example.com/ubuntu 

     Suites: jammy 

     Components: main restricted 

 

• To traditional one-line format:

 

deb http://example.com/ubuntu jammy main restricted

 

 

SAFETY FEATURES:

• Creates backups before any modifications

• Validates input format and types

• Preserves comments and file structure

• Provides clear error messages and warnings

• Tracks and reports any errors during conversion

• Only converts files that need conversion

• Maintains correct file extensions

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT RUNS:

1. Back up all source files (both .sources and .list)

2. Check each file for correct format

3. Convert any files in Deb822 format to one-line format

4. Update file extensions as needed

5. Display the backup location

6. Provide instructions for reverting changes if needed

 

TROUBLESHOOTING:

If something goes wrong:

1. Check the backup location shown in the script output

2. Restore the original files:

   sudo cp -r /var/tmp/sources_backup_TIMESTAMP/* /

 

3. Run sudo apt update to verify the restoration

 

The script is particularly useful for:

• Converting newer Deb822 format files to traditional format

• Fixing misconfigured .list files that accidentally use Deb822 format

• Ensuring consistency across all APT source files

• Migrating between different Ubuntu versions or tools with different format requirements

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Always run with sudo privileges

• Keep note of the backup directory path shown in the output

• Check the output for any error messages

• Run sudo apt update after the script completes to verify everything works

• The script is idempotent - running it multiple times won't cause issues

• Original files are safely backed up before any modifications

Accreditation

Many Thanks to Petar Ivanov for the content