Dpkg vs Apt vs Rpm: Understanding Linux Package Managers

Introduction

Package management is a crucial aspect of Linux system administration. Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu and Debian itself use two main package management tools: dpkg (Debian Package Manager) and apt (Advanced Package Tool). On the other hand, Red Hat-based distributions like RHEL, CentOS, and Fedora use rpm (Red Hat Package Manager). While these tools manage software packages, they serve different purposes and have distinct functionalities.

In this article, we will explore the differences between dpkg, apt, and rpm, their usage, and when to use one over the other.

What is dpkg?

dpkg (Debian Package Manager) is a low-level package manager used to install, remove, and manage .deb packages. It does not handle package dependencies automatically.

Key Features of dpkg:

• Works with .deb packages directly.
• Does not resolve dependencies.
• Used primarily for local package installation.
• Requires manual handling of dependencies.

Common dpkg Commands:

1. Install a .deb package:

   sudo dpkg -i package.deb

2. Remove a package:

   sudo dpkg -r package-name

3. List installed packages:

   dpkg -l

4. Check the status of a package:

   dpkg -s package-name

Example Scenario:

Suppose you downloaded a .deb package manually (e.g., Google Chrome). You can install it using:

sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

If there are missing dependencies, you must fix them manually using:

sudo apt-get install -f

What is apt?

apt (Advanced Package Tool) is a high-level package management tool that works with Debian package repositories. Unlike dpkg, apt can resolve dependencies automatically.

Key Features of apt:

• Fetches and installs packages from online repositories.
• Automatically resolves and installs dependencies.
• Simplifies software management with easy commands.
• Provides package searching and upgrade functionality.

Common apt Commands:

1. Update package lists:

   sudo apt update

2. Upgrade installed packages:

   sudo apt upgrade

3. Install a package from repositories:

   sudo apt install package-name

4. Remove a package:

   sudo apt remove package-name

5. Search for a package:

   apt search package-name

Example Scenario:

If you want to install VLC Media Player, you can simply run:

sudo apt install vlc

Unlike dpkg, apt will automatically install all required dependencies.

What is rpm?

rpm (Red Hat Package Manager) is a low-level package manager used by Red Hat-based distributions such as RHEL, Fedora, and CentOS to manage .rpm packages.

Key Features of rpm:

• Works with .rpm packages directly.
• Does not resolve dependencies automatically.
• Used for manual package management on Red Hat-based systems.
• Requires additional tools like dnf or yum for dependency resolution.

Common rpm Commands:

1. Install an .rpm package:

   sudo rpm -i package.rpm

2. Remove a package:

   sudo rpm -e package-name

3. List installed packages:

   rpm -qa

4. Check package details:

   rpm -qi package-name

Example Scenario:

If you have a manually downloaded .rpm package, you can install it using:

sudo rpm -i example-package.rpm

If dependencies are missing, you need to use dnf or yum to resolve them:

sudo dnf install example-package

Key Differences Between dpkg, apt, and rpm

| Feature | dpkg | apt | rpm | |---------|--------|--------|--------| | Dependency Handling | No automatic resolution | Automatically resolves dependencies | No automatic resolution | | Package Source | Works with local .deb files | Fetches packages from repositories | Works with local .rpm files | | Usage Level | Low-level package manager | High-level package manager | Low-level package manager | | Package Searching | Cannot search packages | Can search available packages | Cannot search packages | | Updating Packages | Does not update package lists | Updates package lists and upgrades packages | Does not update package lists |

When to Use dpkg, apt, or rpm?

• Use dpkg when installing a manually downloaded .deb package.
• Use apt when installing software from repositories, as it handles dependencies.
• Use rpm when installing a manually downloaded .rpm package on Red Hat-based systems.
• If a dpkg installation fails due to missing dependencies, use:

  sudo apt-get install -f

  to resolve the issue.
• If an rpm installation fails due to missing dependencies, use:

  sudo dnf install package-name

  to resolve the issue.

Conclusion

Both dpkg, apt, and rpm are essential tools for managing software in Linux distributions. While dpkg and rpm are low-level package managers used for manual installations, apt and dnf/yum simplify package management by resolving dependencies automatically. Understanding these differences will help you manage software installations effectively on different Linux distributions.