# man > deb-shlibs(5)

---
type: CommandReference
command: deb-shlibs
mode: man
section: 5
source: man-pages
---

## Quick Reference

- `library version dependencies` — map shared library SONAME to package dependencies
- `type: library version dependencies` — with optional type prefix
- `# comment` — ignored lines
- `libcrunch 1 libcrunch1 (>= 1.2-1)` — typical entry for `libcrunch.so.1`

## Name

Debian shared library information file — maps shared library SONAMEs to dependencies for package control files.

## Synopsis

**debian/shlibs**, **debian/**_binary-name_**.shlibs**, **DEBIAN/shlibs**

## Description

**shlibs** files contain one entry per line. Blank lines are **not** allowed. Lines beginning with `#` are comments. Each line has the format:

[type:] library version dependencies
- `library` and `version` are whitespace-delimited.
- `dependencies` extends to end of line, syntax same as `Depends` field in binary control file (see [deb-control(5)](http://localhost/phpMan.php/man/deb-control/5/markdown)).
- `type` is optional and normally not needed.

### SONAME Formats

Supported formats:

- `name.so.version` (e.g., `libcrunch.so.1`)
- `name-version.so` (e.g., `libcrunch-1.so`)

where `name` is usually prefixed by `lib`.

## Examples

For package `libcrunch1` with SONAME `libcrunch.so.1`:

libcrunch 1 libcrunch1 (>= 1.2-1)
The `dependencies` must mention the most recent version of the package that added new symbols to the library (here version 1.2 of `libcrunch`).

## See Also

- [deb-control(5)](http://localhost/phpMan.php/man/deb-control/5/markdown)
- [dpkg-shlibdeps(1)](http://localhost/phpMan.php/man/dpkg-shlibdeps/1/markdown)
- [deb-symbols(5)](http://localhost/phpMan.php/man/deb-symbols/5/markdown)