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I have a script that has lots "sudo apt install ..." commands. While running the script I realized that it also installs postfix which I didn't specify. Is there an easy way to identify which package installs postfix?

Edit: OK. In my situation the "mailutils" package installs postfix as a virtual package with the name default-mta. aptitude why postfix gives the clue. Now I'm gonna use sudo apt install mailutils postfix- (note the dash) to install mailutils without installing postfix.

mrdolichenus
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2 Answers2

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If you don't have aptitude installed, you can try

apt remove postfix --simulate

  • Note the --simulate flag. Nothing will actually be removed.

and see what apt wants to remove that requires postfix.

user535733
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If you have aptitude installed, you can just do

aptitude why postfix

I don't have postfix installed, but when I run it on nullmailer I get

i   lsb-core   Depends  lsb-invalid-mta (>= 11.1.0ubuntu2) | mail-transport-agent
p   nullmailer Provides mail-transport-agent
Organic Marble
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