Introduction
Whether you have work related to graphic editing or dealing with numbers and figures through accounting, software is an essential requirement. This means that software and applications are indivisible tools to complete different tasks. So, how do these tools get deployed on a system? Well, there are a variety of ways. You can perform each step for the installation manually or use a package management tool to do so.
If you are new to the concept of package management tools, then this article will be your perfect reading choice. We will discuss important management tools like YUM and APT. Also, there is a dedicated section on YUM vs. APT that will help you analyze the differences. Let’s start by understanding the world of package management tools.
What is a Package Management Tool?
Package management tools are deployed to look over the installation, maintenance, and management of software packages and applications. It is like the warden of a hostel at school that ensures each kid goes to school on time with proper dress and books. So, a package management tool is like a warden to the software and applications. This tool makes it easier for the user to find all the important elements in one place. Different operating systems use different package management tools. A Linux-based system uses tools like YUM and APT. These tools are not useful for other operating systems like Windows and MacOS. Such management tools are mostly pre-installed on the Linux distributions. If you work on Debian and Linux Mint, then you will find APT. On the other hand, YUM can be found pre-installed on CentOS and Fedora. Let’s start with the first type, i.e., YUM.
What Is YUM?
YUM or Yellowdog Updater, Modifier, is a fantastic package management tool for Linux-based distributions. It comes pre-installed with different Linux distros like RHEL and Fedora. We will now take a look at important processes to work with YUM.
Installing Packages with YUM
If you install packages with YUM, then you won’t have to search different platforms for files and documents regarding the particular software. So, let’s check how it is done. You can use the following command to install a software package:
We will now break down the components of the above command.
“sudo”: A user needs special administrative privileges to instruct a computer. The “sudo” term ensures the user gets these powers to get the work done by the computer.
“yum”: This is the package management tool that the user needs to invoke to install a software package on a Linux distro.
“install”: This term will instruct the system to install.
“package_name”: Here, the user will have to replace “package_name” with the actual name of the software package.
Package Management with YUM
Once you have installed the software package, it is time for management. YUM offers this process on a single platform, making things easier for the user. You can use the following command to update a specific package:
Repository Management with YUM
Repositories are home to various software packages. YUM can easily access this repository, which is attached to the Linux distros. It can help the user get access to rare software packages that are otherwise not available on the default sets. You can use the following commands to manage repositories on a Linux distro:
Create a Repository
We will try to create a repository named “topper” through the YUM tool in CentOS.We will try to create a repository named “topper” through the YUM tool in CentOS. The following syntax will help us do so:
After the above syntax, the next thing we need to do is to ensure the repository has all the essential packages. The following command will lead to a packed repository through RPM package copy:
Remove a Repository
You can use the following command to remove a repository. Here, we will use the following command to remove the recently created repository called “topper”:
Now, let’s talk about APT, after which we will take a brief look at the YUM vs APT comparison.
What Is APT?
Just like YUM, APT or Advanced Package Tool is also a package management tool for Linux distros. As mentioned above, APT comes pre-installed with Debian, Ubuntu, and so on. We will take a look at how to install a package with APT. Furthermore, we will read about package and repository management through APT.
Installing Packages with APT
You can use the following command to install any software package through APT:
Package Management with APT
As far as the management of the package is concerned, you can update, upgrade, and even remove a package through the APT tool. Take a look below.
Update Package
Upgrade Package
Remove Package
Repository Management with APT
This process is similar to that of YUM; the only difference is in commands. Let’s see how a repository is managed in APT.
Add Repository
When the user runs the “sudo add-apt-repository repository_url” command, the specified repository is added to your Debian-based Linux system.
Remove Repository
This command easily eliminates all the previous software repositories from the Debian distro. The above command updates the package lists accurately.
YUM vs. APT: What Are the Differences?
Although the installation of YUM and APT on a Linux-based system is important for perfect software package management, there is a slight difference between the two. Let’s read certain aspects of YUM vs APT. The first major difference is the availability of these tools. APT is available on Debian and Unbuntu, while YUM is pre-installed on CentOS and Fedora. Another differentiating factor of these tools is associated with package management. APT offers comparatively fewer commands for searching and managing packages, while YUM provides more options and flexibility in this regard. The next differentiating factor is related to package installation. This can be done directly on YUM, while APT uses the prefix “./.”
Also Read: Ubuntu LTS Desktop Installation Steps {In Detail}
Conclusion
Everyone loves a smooth installation and management experience, and both YUM and APT can offer that to users. These package management tools are very important to have perfect software and application experience. Users can have refined software package management on Linux-based systems with these tools. YUM, or Yellowdog Updater Modified, is primarily used in RPM-based distributions such as CentOS and Fedora, while APT, or Advanced Package Tool, is employed in Debian-based distributions like Debian and Ubuntu.
Through this article, we have accurately addressed the elements of package management tools. Moreover, we discussed the different processes of YUM and APT, such as installation and management.
Each tool has its own set of commands and syntax for package installation, management, and repository handling. We hope you enjoyed this informative article and gained insights into these package management tools.
