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linux

Differentiate Apt and Apt-Get​

apt and apt-get are both command-line tools used to manage packages on Debian-based Linux distributions, but they server slightly different purpose and have distinct characteristics

apt-get

  • Purpose and design
    • Introduced ealier, it is a lower-level pacakage management tool
  • Functions
    • Offers a wide range of subcommands (install, remove, update,upgrade, dis-upgrade, autoremove)
    • More options for fine-tuned control, such as handling depedencies exlicitly or managing package states
  • Backward compatibility
    • Older and more established, so it's guaranteed to work in scripts and across different versions of Debian-based systems
  • Use cases
    • In scripts or automation tasks

apt

  • Purpose and design
    • Introduced later (in Debian 8 and Ubuntu 16.04), it is a higher-level tool as a front-end to apt-get and other APT tools (like apt-cache)
    • Combines features of apt-get and apt-cache into one command
  • Functions
    • Provides a subset of the most frequently used commands, streamlined for convenience
    • Adds some quality-of-life features, like automatically running apt update before apt upgrade if the package index is outdated
  • Backward compatibility
    • Newer and still evolving, so it's not as universally supported in older systems or scripts
  • Use cases
    • For day-to-ady interactive package management in the terminal

Why Run Apt Update and Apt Upgrade Before Installing?​

In Linux, running sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade before installing software is a common practice because it ensures your system is up-to-date and can install the latest, most compatible versions of packages

Why sudo apt update?

  • Updates the package index
    • This command updates the local list of available packages and versions from repositories in /etc/apt/sources.list and /etc/apt/sources.list.d/. Without it, your system might use an outdated list, missing newer versions or key dependencies
  • Fetches latest metadata
    • Repositories often release new versions, security patches, or bug fixes. apt update ensures your system has the latest info before installation
  • Avoid errors
    • An outdated index can cause "package not found" errors or install unsupported older versions

Why sudo apt upgrade?

  • Updates installed packages
    • This command upgrades all installed packages to their latest repository versions, keeping your system patched and compatible with new software
  • Fixes dependencies
    • New software may require specific library versions. Outdated dependencies can cause failures; upgrading prevents this
  • Enhances security
    • Updates often include security fixes, reducing vulnerabilities during new installations
  • Enhances stability
    • Consistent package versions minimize conflicts between old and new software

Why both before installing?

  • apt update fetches the latest package data, which apt upgrade then applies. Skipping either risks using outdated or incompatible components
  • On servers, combining these steps cuts downtime

When to skip?

  • If you ran both recently (e.g., same day) with no expected repository changes
  • In offline setups (using manual installs instead)
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