How can I automate dpkg/apt-get?

Question

I'm trying to create a script that automatically downloads packages for new servers. However, some things like 'mysql-server' can not installed automatically cause you need to configure them in the ncurses interface first. I've looked through the man pages and can't find anything appropriate.

I don't care if I have to upload/edit a conf file later -- I just need the appropriate packages installed.

Anyone know what to do besides grabbing tarballs and building them myself?

UPDATE found out that for things like mysql-server you can just do:

DEBIAN_FRONTEND='noninteractive' apt-get install -yq mysql-server

however expect looks like something I'll need for sun-java6-jdk; haven't evaluated it yet

Answer 1

Answer from ossramblings.com:

First, install your package normally; then, extract the configuration answers from the debconf data files:

sudo apt-get install debconf-utils
sudo debconf-get-selections | grep mypackage > something.seed

Then, for other installations, you can apply it before installing the package:

sudo debconf-set-selections ./something.seed