Package Management

From TheLinuxVault

Package Management is the installation, uninstallation, and updating of the installed software (packages) on a computer. Most Linux distributions use a decentralized system of repositories that a package manager can download and get updates for the most commonly used software. Linux distributions come with a preset group of repositories, but more can be added by editing the sources.list file.

Most Linux distributions have a list of approved applications (a.k.a. programs or packages) which have been tested to work with each other without problems. A Package Management tool provides a way to see which applications are available and to install them directly from internet repositories or from a CD; or to uninstall (remove) them from your system. You can also view information about the available packages such as a description of what it is intended to do, what is different from previous versions and which other packages may also be required (known as dependencies); such dependencies will automatically be included if you choose to install a package.

Two popular tools for Package Management are called "yum" and "apt". Like many Linux programs, these are run from the command line but may also be controlled by a more friendly GUI.