How to prevent a package from being updated in Debian

If you want to update all the packages other than one in your debian server follow this procedure

There are three ways of holding back packages, with dpkg, aptitude or with dselect.

Using dpkg

Put a package on hold

echo "package hold" | dpkg --set-selections

Example

echo "apache2 hold" | dpkg --set-selections

Remove the hold

echo "package install" | dpkg --set-selections

Example

echo "apache2 install" | dpkg --set-selections

Knowing the status of your packages

dpkg --set-selections

Using aptitude

With aptitude, you can hold a package using

#aptitude hold package_name

Example

#aptitude hold apache2

and remove the hold with

aptitude unhold package_name

Example

#aptitude unhold apache2

Using dselect

With dselect, you just have to enter the [S]elect screen, find the package you wish to hold in its present state, and press the `=' key (or `H'). The changes will go live immediately after you exit the [S]elect screen.

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