Using Apt Get | Package Management

Introduction

The apt-get command is a powerful package management tool used in Debian-based Linux distributions such as Ubuntu. It allows users to install, upgrade, and remove software packages.

Updating Package List

Before installing or upgrading packages, it is essential to update the package index to ensure you have the latest information.

Command:

sudo apt-get update

$ sudo apt-get update
[...]
Get:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal InRelease [265 kB]
Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates InRelease [114 kB]
[...]
Fetched 379 kB in 2s (191 kB/s)
Reading package lists... Done

Upgrading Packages

To upgrade all the installed packages to their latest versions, use the upgrade command.

Command:

sudo apt-get upgrade

$ sudo apt-get upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following packages will be upgraded:
  [...]
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Installing Packages

To install a new package, use the install command followed by the package name.

Command:

sudo apt-get install [package-name]

$ sudo apt-get install vim
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  vim
0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 5 not upgraded.
Need to get 1,234 kB of archives.
After this operation, 3,456 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Removing Packages

To remove an installed package, use the remove command followed by the package name.

Command:

sudo apt-get remove [package-name]

$ sudo apt-get remove vim
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  vim
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 5 not upgraded.
After this operation, 3,456 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Cleaning Up

Over time, your system accumulates packages and files that are no longer needed. You can clean up these files using the clean and autoremove commands.

Commands:

sudo apt-get clean

sudo apt-get autoremove

$ sudo apt-get clean
$ sudo apt-get autoremove
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  [...]
After this operation, 123 MB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Conclusion

Using apt-get is a fundamental skill for managing software packages in Debian-based Linux distributions. By understanding the basic commands, you can effectively install, upgrade, and remove packages, ensuring your system remains up-to-date and clutter-free.