Innovative Linux Package Managers
AppImage, Flatpak, and Snap
The traditional package management systems on Linux are now somewhat outdated, but AppImage, Flatpak, and Snap see some interesting new management systems enter the fray.
When Linux set off on its successful journey back in the 1990s, some innovative software management solutions also emerged. As early as in 1994, the Debian Package Manager dpkg was introduced, and the Red Hat Package Manager RPM followed suit in 1997. Since then, numerous other package management systems for various distributions have seen the light of day.
What they all have in common is that they not only maintain centralized software repositories with applications, but they also let users install, update, and uninstall applications in a largely trouble-free way. All of the popular candidates can handle dependencies and conflicts and keep the respective system in a consistent state. This is why individual installation routines for applications with a jumble of different dialogs, which are commonplace on other operating systems, do not exist on Linux.
At the same time, the known tools are flexible enough to include additional software archives beyond the repositories provided by the distribution developers and again offer the advantages of centralized package management. The built-in package managers on traditional Linux distributions work on the command line. However, graphical front ends such as YaST or Synaptic quickly emerged for less experienced users, helping them to handle software administration conveniently at the push of a button.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
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.
News
-
Linux Kernel 6.16 Reaches EOL
Linux kernel 6.16 has reached its end of life, which means you'll need to upgrade to the next stable release, Linux kernel 6.17.
-
Amazon Ditches Android for a Linux-Based OS
Amazon has migrated from Android to the Linux-based Vega OS for its Fire TV.
-
Cairo Dock 3.6 Now Available for More Compositors
If you're a fan of third-party desktop docks, then the latest release of Cairo Dock with Wayland support is for you.
-
System76 Unleashes Pop!_OS 24.04 Beta
System76's first beta of Pop!_OS 24.04 is an impressive feat.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.