Not that I am aware of.So, I'm wondering if anybody has come up any kind of good solution to this.
Only by enabling a longer history can you parse and analyse the log files and see what was installed via 'apt install' and other routes which is the best result I have achieved.
All other hacks and kludges I have seen suggested will detail a bazillion packages which were installed as a result of installing the high-level packages. None I've seen deliver a nice and simple 'you need to apt install this' list.
I had to write my own app to have that. I am still surprised no one else seems to have ever done that. Maybe most people using Linux don't have a 'reinstall from scratch' regime, use in-place upgrades ? I don't know, but it seems a fundamental failing not to have such a tool given it's such a common problem and doesn't appear to have a simple go-to solution.
But, if you haven't extended logging history you are out of luck. I guess there potentially is some way to determine, from what you have, what 'apt install' you did at some point in time but have no idea how to.
The best you can perhaps do is suck it up, mark it as experience gained, and ensure longer history is enabled as part of your future OS install process. Determine what you can, install that, and keep your fingers crossed, install what you need as it's needed.
I have attached my own 'list.py' which isn't perfect but may help.
Statistics: Posted by hippy — Sun Apr 21, 2024 5:01 pm
