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[[control]]
=== *debian/control* file

The *debian/control* file consists of blocks of metadata separated by blank lines. Each block of metadata defines the following, in this order:

* meta data for the Debian source package
* meta data for the Debian binary packages

See "`https://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-controlfields.html[Chapter 5 - Control files and their fields]`" of the "Debian Policy Manual" for the definition of each metadata field.

NOTE: The *debmake* command sets the *debian/control* file with "`*Build-Depends: debhelper-compat (= @@@dhcompat@@@)*`" to set the *debhelper* compatibility level.

TIP: If an existing package has a *debhelper* compatibility level lower than @@@dhcompat@@@, it's probably time to update its packaging.
