debchange

debchange is a command line tool used in Debian-based systems to manage changelog entries for Debian packages. It allows developers to easily add, modify, and delete changelog entries during the package maintenance process.

With debchange, developers can quickly update the changelog file with information about package updates, bug fixes, security patches, and other modifications. It follows the Debian project's changelog format and conventions, ensuring consistency across packages.

The tool prompts the user with a set of questions to gather the necessary information for the changelog entry, such as the package version, the urgency level, the distribution, and the changes made. It also supports modifying multiple entries at once, in case of a package update with many changes.

Debchange automatically formats the changelog entry according to the Debian standards, making it easy to maintain a well-structured changelog file. It handles the ordering of entries, the inclusion of relevant metadata, and the proper text formatting.

The changelog file modified by debchange can be viewed by users, packagers, and system administrators to understand the package updates and changes over time. It serves as a historical record of the package's development and helps in tracking down specific changes.

Debchange also supports working with multiple distributions and suites, allowing developers to target different versions of Debian or Ubuntu with appropriate changelog entries. It ensures that each distribution's changelog is properly maintained.

The tool integrates well with other Debian packaging tools and workflows, making it a handy tool for package maintainers. It can be easily incorporated into build scripts, Continuous Integration (CI) pipelines, and other development processes.

Debchange supports various command line options and flags to customize its behavior. Developers can specify the desired package name, distribution, urgency level, author name, and other details directly as command line arguments.

It can be used in standalone mode or as part of a larger packaging process. Debchange can be invoked directly from the command line or automated using scripts or build systems.

Overall, debchange simplifies the process of managing changelog entries for Debian packages, ensuring consistency and clarity in the package maintenance workflow.