Debian/Ubuntu Package Management – What is the difference between ‘apt-get’ and ‘apt’?

Both apt-get and apt are command-line tools used for managing packages in Debian-based Linux distributions like Debian, Ubuntu, and their derivatives. However, they have some differences in terms of usage, features, and user interface:

apt-get

• Introduction: apt-get is the older tool and has been the traditional method for package management in Debian-based systems.
• Usage: It is more feature-rich and is used for a wide range of package management tasks, including installing, updating, upgrading, and removing packages.
• Commands: Some of the common commands include:
  • sudo apt-get update: Updates the package list.
  • sudo apt-get upgrade: Upgrades all upgradable packages.
  • sudo apt-get install package_name: Installs a specified package.
  • sudo apt-get remove package_name: Removes a specified package.
  • sudo apt-get dist-upgrade: Upgrades the system by handling dependencies intelligently.
  • sudo apt-get autoremove: Removes unnecessary packages that were automatically installed to satisfy dependencies but are no longer needed.
  • sudo apt-get clean: Clears out the local repository of retrieved package files.

apt

• Introduction: apt is a newer, higher-level command-line tool introduced to provide a more user-friendly interface for package management. It combines the most commonly used features of apt-get, apt-cache, and dpkg.
• Usage: Designed to simplify package management tasks, apt provides more streamlined commands and better default outputs, including progress bars.
• Commands: It includes many of the same commands as apt-get, but with a more consistent and simpler syntax:
  • sudo apt update: Updates the package list.
  • sudo apt upgrade: Upgrades all upgradable packages.
  • sudo apt install package_name: Installs a specified package.
  • sudo apt remove package_name: Removes a specified package.
  • sudo apt full-upgrade: Similar to apt-get dist-upgrade, it upgrades the system by handling dependencies intelligently.
  • sudo apt autoremove: Removes unnecessary packages.
  • sudo apt clean: Clears out the local repository of retrieved package files.
  • sudo apt search package_name: Searches for a package.

Key Differences

1. User Interface: apt provides a more user-friendly and consistent output, including progress bars and easier-to-read messages.
2. Command Simplification: apt combines functionalities from several older tools (apt-get, apt-cache, etc.), providing a simpler command set.
3. Default Behavior: apt has sensible default behaviors that make it more straightforward for everyday package management tasks.
4. Use Case: While apt-get is still fully functional and used for scripting and advanced package management tasks due to its stability and detailed options, apt is recommended for general use and interactive sessions.

Summary

• Use apt-get for more detailed and script-friendly package management.
• Use apt for a more user-friendly and simplified interface for routine package management tasks.