apt-get is the command-line tool for handling packages for Debian Linux which is use to:
- Install/manage individual packages
- Upgrade packages
- Apply security patch(s)
- Keep Debian system up to date
- Download source .deb files
- Has many GUI and other utilities as front-ends
Here is quick cheat sheet you will find handy while using apt-get at shell prompt:
| Syntax | Description | Example(s) |
| apt-get install {package} | Install the new package. If package is installed then try to upgrade to latest version | apt-get install zip apt-get install lsof samba mysql-client |
| apt-get install {package} -f | Install the new package and fix any broken dependencies. “-f” equates to “–fix-broken” | apt-get install -f zip apt-get install -f lsof samba mysql-client |
| apt-get remove {package} | Remove/Delete an installed package except configuration files | apt-get remove zip |
| apt-get –purge remove {package} | Remove/Delete everything including configuration files | apt-get –purge remove mysql-server |
| apt-get update apt-get upgrade |
Resynchronize the package index files and Upgrade the Debian Linux system including security update (Internet access required) | apt-get update apt-get upgrade |
| apt-get update apt-get dist-upgrade |
Usually use to upgrade to Debian distribution. For example Woody to Sarge upgrade. ‘dist-upgrade’ in addition to performing the function of upgrade, also intelligently handles changing dependencies with new versions of packages; apt-get has a “smart” conflict resolution system, and it will attempt to upgrade the most important packages at the expense of less important ones if necessary. | apt-get update apt-get dist-upgrade |
{package} – Replace with actual package name
The full man page for apt-get can be found here: http://ss64.com/bash/apt-get.html