Linux Package Management Commands
Overview
Linux distributions use different package managers to handle software installation, updates, and removal. This document covers basic and commonly used package management commands for various package managers.
Debian-Based Systems (e.g., Ubuntu)
apt
The Advanced Package Tool (APT) is used for managing packages in Debian-based distributions.
Update Package List
Example
sudo apt update
# Updates the package list from repositories
Upgrade Installed Packages
Example
sudo apt upgrade
# Upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions
Install a Package
sudo apt install <package_name>
Example
sudo apt install vim
# Installs the 'vim' text editor
Remove a Package
sudo apt remove <package_name>
Example
sudo apt remove vim
# Removes the 'vim' text editor
Search for a Package
apt search <package_name>
Example
apt search vim
# Searches for packages related to 'vim'
Show Package Details
Example
apt show vim
# Displays detailed information about the 'vim' package
Red Hat-Based Systems (e.g., CentOS, Fedora)
yum
The Yellowdog Updater, Modified (YUM) is used for managing packages in older Red Hat-based distributions.
Update Package List and System
Example
sudo yum update
# Updates the package list and upgrades all installed packages
Install a Package
sudo yum install <package_name>
Example
sudo yum install vim
# Installs the 'vim' text editor
Remove a Package
sudo yum remove <package_name>
Example
sudo yum remove vim
# Removes the 'vim' text editor
Search for a Package
yum search <package_name>
Example
yum search vim
# Searches for packages related to 'vim'
Show Package Details
Example
yum info vim
# Displays detailed information about the 'vim' package
dnf
The Dandified YUM (DNF) is used for managing packages in newer Red Hat-based distributions.
Update Package List and System
Example
sudo dnf update
# Updates the package list and upgrades all installed packages
Install a Package
sudo dnf install <package_name>
Example
sudo dnf install vim
# Installs the 'vim' text editor
Remove a Package
sudo dnf remove <package_name>
Example
sudo dnf remove vim
# Removes the 'vim' text editor
Search for a Package
dnf search <package_name>
Example
dnf search vim
# Searches for packages related to 'vim'
Show Package Details
Example
dnf info vim
# Displays detailed information about the 'vim' package
SUSE-Based Systems
zypper
The command-line interface for managing packages in SUSE-based distributions.
Update Package List and System
sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper update
Example
sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper update
# Refreshes package list and upgrades all installed packages
Install a Package
sudo zypper install <package_name>
Example
sudo zypper install vim
# Installs the 'vim' text editor
Remove a Package
sudo zypper remove <package_name>
Example
sudo zypper remove vim
# Removes the 'vim' text editor
Search for a Package
zypper search <package_name>
Example
zypper search vim
# Searches for packages related to 'vim'
Show Package Details
zypper info <package_name>
Example
zypper info vim
# Displays detailed information about the 'vim' package
General Package Management
rpm
The RPM Package Manager is used for managing packages in RPM-based distributions.
Install a Package
sudo rpm -i <package_file.rpm>
Example
sudo rpm -i vim-8.2.0-1.x86_64.rpm
# Installs the 'vim' package from the RPM file
Remove a Package
sudo rpm -e <package_name>
Example
sudo rpm -e vim
# Removes the 'vim' package
Example
rpm -q vim
# Queries information about the 'vim' package
Summary
Linux offers various package management tools depending on the distribution used. Understanding these commands helps in efficiently managing software installations, updates, and removals. For more detailed information on each command, refer to the Linux manual pages.