Update old debian package

[Dox!]

I have an old deb package that depends on python2.5 that I would like to install on a newer os (ubuntu 11.04) which implements python2.7. Is there a procedure that can update the old package so that I can install it on the newer system that is using the newer python? If so how should I go about it?

I have intermediate linux skill at best.

thanks

[Irithori]

Search the repo of ubuntu 11.04. if that application is there.

apt-cache search <APPLICATION>

If so, a simple apt-get install <APPLICATION> will install it.

If not, then maybe an updated version of that app is in an (trusted) 3rd party repo somewhere on the internet.
You would add such a repo to your apt config. Then apt-get update, apt-get install <APPLICATION>

Next best thing is, if at least an updated deb is available (w/o) repo
You would install that manually with dpkg -i <DEP> and hope, there are no dependencies to be fullfilled.

If no pre-made dep can be found:
1) build one yourself
2) install from source

For 2) you need to have some basic understanding of programming / the make process
For 1) you additonally need to know how deb creation works.

But 1) is preferable, as you then dont "pollute" the system with random and unmaintained files.

[Dox!]

Thanks for the wide scope.

I should have mentioned that the package is a custom modified version of an original, so the first two will not work for me.
I have done a few package builds in the past so the last suggestion may be the answer. When I attempt this, will the build process make the necassary adjustments to the dependencies for python or will I need to explicitly declare this in the configuration files?

[Irithori]

Manual work.
The programmer/packager needs to know (or decide) which librarys/dependencies and in which version are needed or best for the application.

[Dox!]

Understood. Thank you

[Irithori]

I am more a rpm guy but I believe, debs have a control file.
That file contains the required dependencies.

It is worth a shot to increase the version numbers to what ubuntu 11.04 actually has.
Compile and hope for the best.

If it works, some testing of the tool is neccessary, so that it actually still behaves like it should.

Best approach is of course to read the changelog of all dependencies and understand what they mean for the application.