Ever since package managers added automatic dependency resolution, installing software in Linux has been easy. The greatest difficulties arose from attempts to use different package formats, such as Debian’s Alien. These attempts were never fully successful and widely ignored. However, with the popularity of universal formats like AppImage, Snap, Flatpak, and web applications, package management has become more complex, with each format using its own commands for administration. Formerly known as fpakman, bauh is designed to simplify package management by using a single interface for all formats. In addition, bauh is one of the easiest interfaces available for package management either on the desktop or at the command line, despite the fact that some of the interface’s details need to be improved.

Currently at release 0.10.7, bauh has far to go before general release. As I write, it supports Arch, AppImage, Snap, Flatpak, and native web applications, covering the most popular formats, but likely others will be added as development continues. Also, for some reason, the top half of package release numbers are obscured in bauh’s tables, but other columns are perfectly legible (Figure 1). As well, a few of the buttons on the right side of the main window seem needlessly redundant (possibly to accommodate varying user preferences), while, in an effort to avoid jargon, the functions of some fields are obscure. Fortunately, though, such problems do not stop bauh from being already functional. Package installation and removal are already implemented. In addition, bauh can also use Timeshift for backup before making changes and can be installed in the system tray. Already, bauh supports custom themes. Written in Qt, bauh supports all these features with a responsiveness that makes it usable even in the early release stage.

Figure 1: Bauh’s interface has a few problems, but they do not affect functionality.

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