Backup list of installed software Debian

$ dpkg --get-selections

Store list of installed software to a file called /backup/installed-software.log
$ dpkg --get-selections > /backup/installed-software.log



Now you have a list of installed software. After installing base system you can immediately install all software.

Debian Linux
Debian Linux makes your life easy. All you have to do is type following two commands:
# dpkg --set-selections < /backup/installed-software.log

Now your list is imported use dselect or other tools to install the package.
# dselect

Select 'i' for install the software.