Manage Flatpak, Snap, and AppImage packages with bauh

Old-school Linux package formats like deb and RPM let you install an application with a couple of commands or mouse clicks – as long as all the dependencies are satisfied. If dependencies are missing, things get a bit more complicated, with the package manager chasing down additional packages and sometimes choking if a package isn't found or there is a version number conflict.

Next-generation tools like Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage have solved the dependency problem by packing dependencies with the package. Because they carry their dependencies with them, these modern-day formats are largely portable, installing on any Linux system as long as it has a compatible package manager.

But why so many formats? In the grand tradition of Linux, the community has solved the same problem several different ways. Does that mean you need several different package managers to read Snap, Flatpak, and AppImage formats?

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • bauh

    The bauh package manager provides a single interface to manage all of your Linux software. Despite a few issues, bauh goes a long way in simplifying package management.

  • bauh

    The bauh package manager provides a single interface to manage all of your Linux software. Despite a few issues, bauh goes a long way in simplifying package management.

  • FOSSPicks

    This issue's copy was almost late after Graham rediscovered just how immersive and addictive the 1997 game, Blade Runner, can be when recreated on the latest release of ScummVM. Plus, Graham explores Blender 2.8, Amass, Cookbook, Mangl, Cawbird, Chiaki, and more!

  • Parcel Service

    The traditional package management systems on Linux are now somewhat outdated, but AppImage, Flatpak, and Snap see some interesting new management systems enter the fray.

  • unsnap

    If you want to move away from Ubuntu's Snap package format, the unsnap script removes snaps from your computer and replaces them with Flatpaks where possible.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News