This command utilizes dpkg, Debians package management program, to display a comprehensive list of installed packages, providing valuable insights into the software currently on your system.

In this article, we’ll compare apt vs dpkg package managers for managing packages in Ubuntu and other Debian-based systems. While APT is commonly used by most users due to its ease of use, it’s essential to understand how dpkg works under the hood.

APT stands for Advanced Packaging Tool, which allows you to install, uninstall, purge, and manage Debian packages using a simple command-line interface. It is commonly used in Ubuntu and other Debian-based systems like Mint or Kali Linux. APT can download packages from remote repositories, resolve dependencies automatically, and handle package conflicts with ease.

On the other hand, dpkg (Debian Package Manager) works under the hood of APT to manage local .deb files. While it cannot retrieve/download files from remote repositories or figure out dependencies on its own, it can install, uninstall, and configure packages that are already downloaded locally.

In terms of functionality, both apt and dpkg have their strengths and weaknesses. APT is more user-friendly due to its ability to handle package management tasks automatically, while dpkg provides a lower level interface for advanced users who want greater control over the process.

To install packages using apt, simply run:
$ sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
This command updates your system’s package list and upgrades any available packages to their latest versions. To install specific packages, use:
$ sudo apt install For example, to install the Firefox web browser, run:
$ sudo apt install firefox
To remove a package using apt, simply replace ‘install’ with ‘remove’:
$ sudo apt remove This command removes the specified package and any dependencies that are no longer needed. To purge a package (i.e., completely delete it from your system), use:
$ sudo apt purge To list installed packages using dpkg, run:
$ dpkg –list
This command displays a comprehensive list of all software packages currently installed on your system. To search for specific packages, use:
$ dpkg -s For example, to check if the Firefox web browser is already installed, run:
$ dpkg -s firefox
To upgrade or remove packages using dpkg, you can use the following commands:
– Upgrade a package: $ sudo dpkg –get-selections | grep > /dev/null && sudo apt dist-upgrade || true
This command checks if the specified package is already installed and then upgrades it using APT. If the package isn’t found, it simply exits without doing anything. Remove a package: $ sudo dpkg –get-selections | grep > /dev/null && sudo apt remove || true
This command checks if the specified package is already installed and then removes it using APT. If the package isn’t found, it simply exits without doing anything. In terms of best practices for managing packages with dpkg or apt, here are a few tips:
– Always use sudo to run these commands as root (or with elevated privileges) to avoid permission errors and ensure that changes are applied system-wide. Use ‘apt update’ before running any package management tasks to ensure that your system has the latest package list available. This can help prevent conflicts or issues caused by outdated packages. Always check for dependencies using ‘apt depends ‘ before installing a new package, as this can save time and avoid unnecessary errors later on. Use ‘dpkg –list’ to check which packages are currently installed on your system, and use ‘dpkg -r ‘ to remove them if they are no longer needed or wanted. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your package management tasks are performed efficiently and effectively, without causing any unnecessary errors or conflicts along the way.