Linux-based computers depend on packages that can be managed via software repositories. Dependencies are needed for the packaged software to work correctly.

A list of dependencies The information on the required programs and versions.

Metadata A small file is providing the version number and description (metadata) of the program.

Precompiled software Binary executable files to allow end-users easy software installation.In addition, they solve the challenging and tedious work of having to compile software and handle all its dependencies.Ī package is a compressed file archive or collection of files to perform a specific task or application. Packages were created to simplify software distribution and installation. Honorable Mentions We add three honorable mentions to our best Linux Package manager list: eoPKG, NIX, and Snap.Gentoo’s Portage Portage provides a fantastic way to manage packages to one of the most flexible yet challenging Linux distributions.

It is now the default package manager in Fedora 22 and Red Hat Linux 8. Zypper is knowns for its SAT solver, a fantastic dependency issue solution.

Zypp/Zypper A popular front-end to RPM used in OpenSUSE and SUSE Linux Enterprise.

Pacman A popular Arch-Linux package manager that allows using a pre-built package or build-it-yourself.

APT A popular DPKG front-end with a complete dependency resolution and package management.

YUM An old-time RPM font-end favorite, known and understood by many but slowly being replaced by DNF.

Here is our list of the best Linux Package Managers:

These include yum, DNF, apt, Pacman, zypper, Portage, and a few other honorable mentions. In this post, we’ll review the best and most popular Linux Package Managers. But generally, all Linux package managers should help install, remove, update, audit, and solve challenging dependency and software version issues. The operation and architecture of the different Linux Package managers will vary from distribution to distribution.

Package manager linux