Good afternoon:

I am SO MAAAAD right now: I am running Debian 8, and she has been running FINE for a LONG while, then Wordpress says I need to upgrade PHP from 5.6 to 7.3. Problem is, I can't install SQUAT because I seem to have a LOT of dependencies: Aptitude is no help, because it just sits there, and numbers increase, but NO suggestions are made, and apt-get keeps saying:

php5 is already the newest version.
php5-cgi is already the newest version.
php5-cli is already the newest version.
php5-common is already the newest version.
php5-fpm is already the newest version.
php5-gd is already the newest version.
php5-mcrypt is already the newest version.
php5-readline is already the newest version.
php-gettext is already the newest version.
php5-json is already the newest version.
php-tcpdf is already the newest version.
Some packages could not be installed. This may mean that you have
requested an impossible situation or if you are using the unstable
distribution that some required packages have not yet been created
or been moved out of Incoming.
The following information may help to resolve the situation:

The following packages have unmet dependencies:
libapache2-mod-php5 : Conflicts: libapache2-mod-php5filter but 5.6.40+dfsg-0+deb8u12 is to be installed
libapache2-mod-php5filter : Conflicts: libapache2-mod-php5 but 5.6.40+dfsg-0+deb8u12 is to be installed
php-horde-groupware : Conflicts: horde-bundle
Breaks: php-horde-webmail but 5.2.2-1 is to be installed
php-horde-webmail : Conflicts: horde-bundle
Breaks: php-horde-groupware but 5.2.2-1 is to be installed
php-letodms-lucene : Depends: zendframework but it is not going to be installed
php5-apcu : Conflicts: php5-user-cache
Conflicts: php5-xcache but 3.2.0-1 is to be installed
Conflicts: php5-yac but 0.9.2-1 is to be installed
php5-dev : Depends: libpcre3-dev but it is not going to be installed
php5-mysql : Conflicts: php5-mysqlnd but 5.6.40+dfsg-0+deb8u12 is to be installed
php5-mysqlnd : Conflicts: php5-mysql
php5-xcache : Conflicts: php-apc
Conflicts: php5-user-cache
php5-yac : Conflicts: php-apc
Conflicts: php5-apcu but 4.0.7-1 is to be installed
Conflicts: php5-user-cache
Conflicts: php5-xcache but 3.2.0-1 is to be installed
E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.
brian@cardinal:/3TB/backup/databases$ sudo apt-install -f
sudo: apt-install: command not found
brian@cardinal:/3TB/backup/databases$ sudo apt install -f
E: Could not get lock /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (11: Resource temporarily unavailable)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), is another process using it?
brian@cardinal:/3TB/backup/databases$ sudo apt install -f
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
libaio1 libdbi-perl libterm-readkey-perl
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
brian@cardinal:/3TB/backup/databases$ ls -l
total 0
brian@cardinal:/3TB/backup/databases$ cd ..
brian@cardinal:/3TB/backup$ cd ..
brian@cardinal:/3TB$ cd ..
brian@cardinal:/$ ;s -l
-bash: syntax error near unexpected token `;'
brian@cardinal:/$
total 121
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ apt-get update

E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (13: Permission denied)
E: Unable to lock directory /var/lib/apt/lists/
E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/dpkg/lock - open (13: Permission denied)
E: Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), are you root?
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo apt-get update
Hit http://security.debian.org jessie/updates InRelease
Ign http://http.us.debian.org jessie InRelease
Hit http://http.us.debian.org jessie Release.gpg
Hit http://http.us.debian.org jessie Release
Hit http://http.us.debian.org jessie/main amd64 Packages
Get:1 http://security.debian.org jessie/updates/main Sources [366 kB]
Hit http://http.us.debian.org jessie/contrib amd64 Packages
Hit http://http.us.debian.org jessie/non-free amd64 Packages
Hit http://http.us.debian.org jessie/contrib Translation-en
Hit http://http.us.debian.org jessie/main Translation-en
Get:2 http://security.debian.org jessie/updates/contrib Sources [1,439 B]
Hit http://http.us.debian.org jessie/non-free Translation-en
Get:3 http://security.debian.org jessie/updates/non-free Sources [1,915 B]
Hit http://security.debian.org jessie/updates/main amd64 Packages
Hit http://security.debian.org jessie/updates/main Translation-en
Reading package lists... Done
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ apt-get autoclean
E: Could not open lock file /var/cache/apt/archives/lock - open (13: Permission denied)
E: Unable to lock the download directory
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo apt-get autoclean
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ apt-get clean
E: Could not open lock file /var/cache/apt/archives/lock - open (13: Permission denied)
E: Unable to lock the download directory
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo apt-get clean
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo apt-get autoremove
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages will be REMOVED:
libaio1 libdbi-perl libterm-readkey-perl
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 3 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
After this operation, 2,340 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] Y
(Reading database ... 286843 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing libaio1:amd64 (0.3.110-1) ...
Removing libdbi-perl (1.631-3+b1) ...
Removing libterm-readkey-perl (2.32-1+b1) ...
Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.19-18+deb8u10) ...
Processing triggers for man-db (2.7.0.2-5) ...
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ dpkg –remove -force –force-remove-reinstreq php5.6
dpkg: error: need an action option

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg –remove -force –force-remove-reinstreq php5.6
dpkg: error: need an action option

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg –remove -force –force-remove-reinstreq php5.6dpkg: error: need an action option

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ dpkg –remove -force –force-remove-reinstreq package name
dpkg: error: need an action option

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg -configure -a
dpkg: error: unknown option -o

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg -configure -a
dpkg: error: unknown option -o

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg -configure -a
dpkg: error: unknown option -o

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg -configure -a
dpkg: error: unknown option -o

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg -configure -a
dpkg: error: unknown option -o

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg -configure -a
dpkg: error: unknown option -o

Type dpkg --help for help about installing and deinstalling packages[*];
Use 'apt' or 'aptitude' for user-friendly package management;
Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values;
Type dpkg --force-help for a list of forcing options;
Type dpkg-deb --help for help about manipulating *.deb files;

Options marked[*] produce a lot of output - pipe it through 'less' or 'more' !
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg -l | grep -v '^ii'
Desired=Unknown/Install/Remove/Purge/Hold
| Status=Not/Inst/Conf-files/Unpacked/halF-conf/Half-inst/trig-aWait/Trig-pend
|/ Err?=(none)/Reinst-required (Status,Err: uppercase=bad)
||/ Name Version Architecture Description
+++-=====================================-==============================================-============-===============================================================================
rc dirmngr 1.1.1-5 amd64 server for managing certificate revocation lists
rc libaio1:amd64 0.3.110-1 amd64 Linux kernel AIO access library - shared library
rc libapache2-mod-php5 5.6.40+dfsg-0+deb8u12 amd64 server-side, HTML-embedded scripting language (Apache 2 module)
rc libapache2-mod-php7.3 7.3.29-1~deb10u1 amd64 server-side, HTML-embedded scripting language (Apache 2 module)
rc libmysqlclient18:amd64 5.5.62-0+deb8u1 amd64 MySQL database client library
rc linux-image-3.16.0-6-amd64 3.16.57-2 amd64 Linux 3.16 for 64-bit PCs
rc linux-image-3.16.0-9-amd64 3.16.68-2 amd64 Linux 3.16 for 64-bit PCs
rc mysql-apt-config 0.8.13-1 all Auto configuration for MySQL APT Repo.
rc mysql-common 7.6.14-1debian8 amd64 MySQL Common
rc mysql-community-client 5.7.30-1debian8 amd64 MySQL Client
rc mysql-community-server 5.7.30-1debian8 amd64 MySQL Server
rc mysql-server-5.5 5.5.62-0+deb8u1 amd64 MySQL database server binaries and system database setup
rc php5-mysqlnd 5.6.40+dfsg-0+deb8u12 amd64 MySQL module for php5 (Native Driver)
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ php -V
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo apt-get install mysql
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Package mysql is not available, but is referred to by another package.
This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or
is only available from another source
However the following packages replace it:
mysql-community-server mysql-common mysql-community-client

E: Package 'mysql' has no installation candidate
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo apt-get install mysql-community-server
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Package mysql-community-server is not available, but is referred to by another package.
This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or
is only available from another source

E: Package 'mysql-community-server' has no installation candidate
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo apt-get install mysql-community-client
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Package mysql-community-client is not available, but is referred to by another package.
This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or
is only available from another source
However the following packages replace it:
mysql-community-server

E: Package 'mysql-community-client' has no installation candidate
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ sudo dpkg-query -f '${status} ${package}n' -W | awk '$3 != "installed" {print $4}'
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ dpkg-query -f '${status} ${package}n' -W | awk '$3 == "half-configured" {print $4}'
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ dpkg-query -f '${status} ${package}n' -W | awk '$3 == "half-configured" {print $4}'
brian@cardinal:/var/www$
brian@cardinal:/var/www$
brian@cardinal:/var/www$ dpkg-query -f '${status} ${package}n' -W | awk '$3 == "half-configured" {print $4}'
brian


For some reason, I Cant install ANYTHING: debian 8 WAS working fine, until I tried to update PHP and mysql. what I want to do is:

1. FIX all broken packages, and I dont care how many packages say they are NOT broken: Why would I get errors like above? Something IS BROKEN, and I want to fix it so I dont lose my sites, and I DON'T have to upgrade to debian 11, JUST to be able to update and get packages.

2. GET a list of required "dependencies" (deps) and then: Go in, tell me what they are, then DOWNLOAD what I need to correct them, then install anything that is missing. I cant deal with this crap anymore: all my interfaces say nothing about that, unless I am at shell level, and APTITUDE does NOT help me to correct them. I want these corrected. Maybe a shell script is available or could be made to Fix that, find and reinstall what I need?

3. COMPLETELY remove PHP 5.6 Upgrade to 7.3 - However, there are wordpress plugins that will probably break - I cant afford to lose the sites I have. there is no place I can get 7.3 without going to branch: Debian 10/11. Being FORCED to upgrade to the newest DEB version is something I want to do, but NOT right now, since I am used to the debian 8 i use. I cant FIND any repositories for the older stuff, which is IMORTANT if you want to keep RUNNING what you have, UNTIL you are READY to upgrade to DEB 11 - I **will do it** but NOT until I have a working system. If it wasn't for Wordpress saying my PHP was out of date, I would have left it alone. I also need the extensions and files I need to work with PHPMYADMIN.

4. Install PHPMYADMIN: (AKA - adminer): That way, I can use it to deal with my databases in a GUI: When I do that, I get a TON of code instead of a LOGIN screen: Again, forced, because of needing to UPDATE my PHP from 5.6 to a 7.3 version. It was working WELL before I "had" to upgrade" was then saying I was "missing the MYSQL extension (mysqli I think) in wordpress, BUT I had to screw around just to find out that, and EVERYTHIG I see on the web pulls UBUNTU, and I don't USE that, I use DRBian, and sometimes UBUNTU stuff is different.

5. INSTALL MYSQL 5.7 and configure the databases, so that I can connect using my credentials in PHPMYADMIN.

6. Correct any problems with Apache2 deps, and make sure that PHP, Apache2, mysql, and PHPMYADMIN work correctly, and then SCRIPT it up, so I have all deps taken care of.

7. Find a Repo that has programs that are newer, but compatible with DEB 8 - Repos for the ONLY place (ondrej) you can download what you need, have been removed for version 8, so I cant update anything.

Basically, I think I did WELL running the server for as long as I have, I just hit a roadblock, and I cant get this thing back to the way it was, because of loss of repos, errors, and dependencies that cant be fixed.

I ask that someone give me an idea of what I should do to fix these things: I can follow instructions and then try to fix the issue, but I DON'T want to blow away my server because of dependencies that I am missing and unable to fix: It works well, but I've screwed up, and I will provide any information someone needs to help me.

Can someone rescue me from this nightmare?

Thanks,

Brian

Debian 8 is not EOL yet but you definitely won't be able to get a newer PHP version for it.
A release upgrade is really your only option, unless you go back to an older version of Wordpress.

I'm guessing you made a mess trying to install unsuitable packages, you probably should fix this to still get a few rare security updates.
Your output is too lengthy & confused to make much sense of, but often helps.
Also go through your sources lists, they might need an update. Make use of Debian wiki to figure things out.

Running the same wrong command over and over again won't magically make it right. It's
Note the two dashes.

But won't help because incomplete package configuration isn't the problem.

@OP: You need to undo the mess you made trying to install packages from some clown's private repo, and stop mindlessly typing commands that you don't understand.

Alternatively, you could try pissing on it and see if that helps ...

Oracle is not some clown. mysql-community-* packages come from https://repo.mysql.com.

@OP. Read the Oracle guide to using their repo. Among others, it discusses such topics as Replacing a Native Distribution of MySQL Using the MySQL APT Repository and Replacing a MySQL Server Installed by a Direct deb Package Download.

Debateable which isn't an in the list of sources, and presumably, neither is the source of the installed php.PHP is the immediate issue and resolving that and unborking the broken dependency chain is step 1. There is no indication that there even is a DB issue, so replacing whatever is currently there with a foreign version isn't what I would recommend at this point.

Hello all:

First, I want to say that this server has been running FINE until I needed to upgrade PHP. I was running apache2, php5.6, phpmyadmin, and mysql. because of an upgrade request to 7.3,
I did that upgrade and it was asking for the "mysql extension in wordpress" I have been researching for DAYS to get this right: I KNOW I have dependencies: I need to know HOW to
get them met, so that I can run all of the programs I need for my wordpress. However, EVERY SINGLE PAGE I go to, talks about "ubuntu" and then tells you how to do what is you need
assuming I am using it, and I use DEB 8. I KNOW that I need dependencies. WORDPRESS wants 7.3 at LEAST, and I CANT get it very easily with all its deps, and if I am missing deps,
then of COURSE it is not gonna work right: I don't KNOW an easy way to find out what I need (whats missing) and the repos are TRASHED and are at DEB 11, so I guess I may have to update
and cause myself more hell: I came here because I need information that is "debiubunto mixed" I am NOT ready to update to DEB11 YET: 8 and 11 are 3 different systems, use different
databases and have different commands, and may not easily take an upgrade.

Second:
I am NOT "mindlessly typing commands that I don't understand". These are commands I am following from posts that tell me information about installing the proper packages. If the DEB 8 REPOS for
my install were NOT simply removed when DEB 9/10/11 (Or whatever current version is being maintained) come out, and the older repos were somewhere, then maybe I could get what I need, rather
than to try UBUNTU repos that use different commands. Case in Point: Ondrej repos for EVERYTHING DEB 8 are GONE. Someone asked him to consider that others may NOT be READY to upgrade to DEB 11
YET, and he basicially TORE them apart: He does have the right to maintain his server the way he wants, but I don't have the tools I need to correct the deps, and I cant use synaptic if all
it brings up is deb 8 stuff, and I cant install newer versions that are not in the repo.

THIRD: "apt-get install -f" and "dpkg --configure -a" do NOT fix "broken packages or missing deps." It may fix the configs, so that dpkg can run again, or fix apt, but I dont see
any "fixes to the many dependencies" that seem to be there. I STILL have missing dependencies: I don't know how to get that back:
I cannot take "blind shots" installing, removing, purging, and then reinstalling things, and losing package "a" because it is "no longer needed" or package "b" because I need deps.

So AGAIN: I ask if there is a way to:

get a repo list of EVERYTHING I NEED for DEB 8:

I went to a sources.list website and was able to get THIS for DEB 8:

I updated my sources.list, then:

apt-get update

Now, Is there a way to get all dependencies, and then install them for what I am missing? The alternative is for me to wipe out package after package, which is silly.
If I can get deps and conflicts RESOLVED it may be easier than just updating to DEB 11 for now: I plan on doing this when I have a free 2 weeks or so, because you
have to install different DATABASE stuff (mariadb) and they use other things that are different in the way you issue commands.

If I could script this out, then I would have no problem, because DEB 11 could say "hey, your running apache, this is what is needed, and these are the conflicts, and we will fix these"
or whatever programs I run that need something.

and btw: I would NOT "piss on my machine" to correct anything, as you would not from a root prompt type: "rm -r /"

What should I do next?

Brian

Let's look at worst case scenario at this point. Did you make a backup of your Wordpress database and website? If not do that now.

Upgrading the server in place, or rebuilding from scratch and restoring from backup, will be more cost effective of your time at this point, and be more stable, and better to support in the long run.
Trying to find backports of new software just takes more effort to keep secure.

You might still be able to update your current server to Debian 9, by editing the sources.list like so: https://phoenixnap.com/kb/how-to-upg...bian-9-stretch then update from 9 to 10 by replacing stretch with buster.
If the update goes well, you may not need to restore anything. You may want to update to Debian 11 Bullseye just to keep things secure, as 10 falls off support in 2022.

Well, if Ondřej Surý discontinued support for Jessie then you're out of luck. Dotdeb repo for Jessie is still online (don't know for how long), but they only have PHP 7.0 in it. Upgrade to a newer Debian release. This is your best option.

Other than that you may try something like Ravenports, but they install packages outside of DEB package management system. Besides, citing their website:
Good luck finding GCC 8 packages for Jessie.

Another option is to take sources of Stretch packages from https://deb.sury.org and backport them to Jessie yourself. And of course, you still have the choice of chroot, containers, and virtual machines.

^^ This.

What you WANT is not going to happen.
You need a later release to support the software you want.

Given the apparent state of your system with multiple foreign packages and third party hacks, along with you penchant for doing random stuff you read on blogs, dist-upgrading will be problematic and likely an exercise in futility.

You should build a new, clean system and migrate your sites to that.

If downtime is an issue, you should put your current system back the way it was when it was working, to give you time to setup / learn your new system.
Unless you have a backup you can roll back to, apt / dpkg history logs and the aptitude ncurses interface will be your friends.