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apt

package managementlinux
The apt command is one of the most frequently used commands in Linux/Unix-like operating systems. apt The apt command is a high-level package management tool for Debian and Ubuntu-based Linux distributions, providing a user-friendly interface for installing, updating, removing, and managing software packages.
See ExamplesView Syntax

Quick Reference

Command Name:

apt

Category:

package management

Platform:

linux

Basic Usage:

apt [options] [arguments]

Common Use Cases

    Syntax

    apt [options] command

    Options

    Option Description
    -h, --help Show help message
    -v, --version Show version information
    -y, --yes Automatically answer yes to prompts
    -q, --quiet No output except for errors
    -s, --simulate Simulate operations but don't actually perform them
    -d, --download-only Download packages but don't install them
    --no-install-recommends Don't install recommended packages
    --install-suggests Consider suggested packages as dependencies
    --no-upgrade Don't upgrade packages
    --only-upgrade Only upgrade already installed packages
    --allow-downgrades Allow packages to be downgraded
    --reinstall Reinstall packages that are already installed
    --fix-broken Fix broken dependencies
    --verbose-versions Show full versions for packages

    Examples

    How to Use These Examples

    The examples below show common ways to use the apt command. Try them in your terminal to see the results. You can copy any example by clicking on the code block.

    #

    Basic Examples:

    # Update package list
sudo apt update
    # Upgrade all installed packages sudo apt upgrade
    # Install a new package sudo apt install package-name
    # Remove a package sudo apt remove package-name
    # Search for a package apt search keyword

    Advanced Examples:

    # Update package list and upgrade in one command
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
    # Install multiple packages sudo apt install package1 package2 package3 # Remove a package and its configuration files sudo apt purge package-name # Remove orphaned packages (no longer needed dependencies) sudo apt autoremove # Show detailed information about a package apt show package-name # List all available upgrades apt list --upgradable # Fix broken dependencies sudo apt --fix-broken install # Clean the local repository of retrieved package files sudo apt clean # Download a package without installing it apt download package-name

    Try It Yourself

    Practice makes perfect! The best way to learn is by trying these examples on your own system with real files.

    Understanding Syntax

    Pay attention to the syntax coloring: commands, options, and file paths are highlighted differently.

    Notes

    Common Commands:

    The apt tool provides several commands for package management:

    • update: Update the package list from repositories
    • upgrade: Upgrade installed packages to newer versions
    • full-upgrade: Upgrade packages, even if it requires removing other packages (similar to dist-upgrade in apt-get)
    • install: Install new packages
    • remove: Remove packages while keeping configuration files
    • purge: Remove packages along with their configuration files
    • autoremove: Remove automatically installed packages that are no longer needed
    • search: Search for packages by name or description
    • show: Display detailed information about packages
    • list: List packages based on criteria (installed, upgradable, etc.)
    • edit-sources: Edit sources.list using the default editor
    • clean: Remove downloaded package files from the local cache
    • autoclean: Remove obsolete downloaded package files

    Apt vs Apt-get:

    The apt command was designed as a more user-friendly alternative to apt-get and apt-cache:

    • More intuitive command structure and simplified options
    • Progress bar display for better usability
    • Color output for better readability
    • Combines commonly used features from apt-get, apt-cache, and apt-config
    • Designed for interactive use, while apt-get is better for scripting

    Package Management Tips:

    • Always run sudo apt update before installing or upgrading packages to ensure you have the latest package information
    • Use apt list --installed to see all installed packages
    • Use apt show package-name to view detailed information about a package before installing it
    • Add -y flag to automatically answer yes to prompts in scripts (e.g., sudo apt install -y package-name)
    • Use apt search with grep for more specific searches: apt search text-editor | grep gtk
    • The apt full-upgrade command is similar to apt-get dist-upgrade and should be used with caution

    Configuration:

    APT uses several configuration files:

    • /etc/apt/sources.list: Main file listing package repositories
    • /etc/apt/sources.list.d/: Directory containing additional repository configuration files
    • /etc/apt/apt.conf and /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/: Configuration files for APT behavior
    • /etc/apt/preferences and /etc/apt/preferences.d/: Package pinning configuration

    Package States:

    Understanding package states can help manage your system:

    • Installed: Package is installed on the system
    • Upgradable: A newer version is available in the repositories
    • Held: Package is marked to not be upgraded automatically
    • Removable: Package installed but not required by other packages
    • Auto-removable: Package installed automatically but no longer required

    Managing Package Versions:

    To install a specific version of a package:

    sudo apt install package-name=version

    To prevent a package from being upgraded:

    sudo apt-mark hold package-name

    To allow a held package to be upgraded again:

    sudo apt-mark unhold package-name

    Important Notes:

    • Always use sudo when making changes to the system through apt
    • Be careful when using --allow-downgrades as it can potentially break dependencies
    • Use apt --simulate install package-name to see what would happen without making changes
    • For scripting and automated tasks, apt-get is still recommended over apt
    • The apt cache is stored in /var/cache/apt/archives/
    • Always check the suggested/recommended packages to avoid installing unnecessary software
    • When in doubt, use apt show to get details about a package before installation

    Related Commands

    These commands are frequently used alongside apt or serve similar purposes:

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    Use Cases

    Learn By Doing

    The best way to learn Linux commands is by practicing. Try out these examples in your terminal to build muscle memory and understand how the apt command works in different scenarios.

    See ExamplesTry Lab Exercises
    $ apt
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