The difference between apt install and apt-get install

The Difference Between `apt install` and `apt-get install` and Overview of Other Package Managers

Navigating the world of package management in Linux can be a daunting task for new and even experienced users alike. Among the variety of tools available, apt and apt-get are two of the most widely used on Debian-based distributions. Their names alone suggest similarity and, indeed, they perform similar functions but with a few nuanced differences. Additionally, other Linux distributions utilize different package managers, such as dnf for Fedora and zypper for openSUSE. In this blog, we’ll uncover the differences between apt install and apt-get install and toss in a primer on using dnf and zypper.

Understanding `apt install` vs `apt-get install`

Both apt install and apt-get install command lines are used for installing software packages on Debian-based systems (like Ubuntu). However, they serve slightly different audiences and use cases.

apt-get install: This is the older of the two commands, part of the apt suite of tools that was introduced in 1998. apt-get is considered more stable for scripting since its command line options and output are guaranteed to remain consistent over future updates, thus making it suitable for automation scripts and backward compatibility.

sudo apt-get install package-name

apt install: Introduced more recently, apt is designed to be friendly for end users and provides a more pleasant command line interface. It combines the most commonly used features of apt-get, apt-cache, and other apt tools into a single, more coherent tool. On top of installation, it can also handle searching for packages and viewing version updates.

sudo apt install package-name

For general purposes and especially for individuals, using apt install might be more preferable due to its more user-friendly output. It shows a progress bar while packages are being installed, whereas apt-get does not.

Operating Instructions for `apt` and `apt-get`

For installing, removing, and managing software packages in Debian-based distributions:

To Install a Package:
- Using apt: sudo apt install package-name
- Using apt-get: sudo apt-get install package-name
To Remove a Package:
- Using apt: sudo apt remove package-name
- Using apt-get: sudo apt-get remove package-name
To Search for a Package:
- Using apt: apt search search-term
- Using apt-get: apt-cache search search-term

`dnf` - Fedora's Package Manager

dnf (Dandified Yum) replaced yum as the default package manager for Fedora. It resolves dependencies more efficiently and is designed to be backward compatible with yum.

To Install a Package on Fedora:
```
sudo dnf install package-name
```
To Remove a Package:
```
sudo dnf remove package-name
```
To Search for a Package:
```
dnf search search-term
```

`zypper` - openSUSE's Package Manager

zypper is the command line interface of ZYpp package manager for installing, updating and removing packages as well as for managing repositories.

To Install a Package on openSUSE:
```
sudo zypper install package-name
```
To Remove a Package:
```
sudo zypper remove package-name
```
To Search for a Package:
```
zypper search search-term
```

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between apt install and apt-get install as well as mastering the usage of dnf and zypper are essential skills for managing Linux systems effectively. Each of these tools has been designed with specific scenarios in mind, catering to different types of users and system requirements. Whether you are a casual user, system administrator, or a developer, leveraging these tools efficiently can greatly simplify the management of your Linux environments.