Quickly turn foreign binary packages into Debian-format packages to test or install them on Debian-based systems. 16.11.2025 | reading time: 2 min Need to install an RPM on a Debian-based host? Use the alien utility to convert RPMs into DEB packages so he can inspect and install them safely before committing to a system change. Hands-on conversion Follow this concrete example in a test environment: ```\nsudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y alien fakeroot\nfakeroot alien -d example-1.2.3-1.x86_64.rpm\nls -lh example_1.2.3-2_amd64.deb\nsudo dpkg -i example_1.2.3-2_amd64.deb\n``` Sample output (abbreviated): ```\nConverting example-1.2.3-1.x86_64.rpm to example_1.2.3-2_amd64.deb\nBuilding package example_1.2.3-2_amd64.deb\nSetting up example (1.2.3-2) ...\n``` Options and caveats Use `-d` or `--to-deb` to create DEBs, add `--scripts` to include maintainer scripts, and prefer `fakeroot` when building as an unprivileged user; beware that dependencies and init/service differences are not magically fixed by conversion, so test in a container or VM and review postinst/prerm scripts before production use. Tools that help the workflow After conversion he will still use `dpkg` to install and `apt` to satisfy dependencies; examine the original package with `rpm` and consider rebuilding from source or creating a proper Debian package for long-term maintenance when compatibility issues arise. A clear next step Alien is a fast way to bridge formats for experimentation, but converting is only the start: validate the package, test services, and prefer native packaging for production; learn more about packaging and system administration and consider formalizing skills with certifications like CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1, and check bitsandbytes.academy for intensive exam preparation. Join Bits & Bytes Academy First class LINUX exam preparation. utilities setup scripting
