Difference Between APT, APT-GET, APT-CACHE and APT-CONFIG

apt, apt-get, apt-cache, and apt-config lie in some specific roles within the Debian package management system. Apt (Advanced Package Tool) is a high-level interface for managing software packages combining the functionalities of apt-get and apt-cache. In this article, we discuss on each component and its play of distinct roles in Debian systems.

What is a Package manager?

Package Manager is a tool (either CLI tool or GUI tool) that helps in managing the packages and software in an operating system. Package Manager provides services like Configuration, Installation, Removing/Uninstalling/Erasing of any kind of software packages. Mostly these tools are linked with online repositories where different software packages are stored related to the operating system. It is just like the Google Play Store in mobiles and Microsoft Store in Windows. But it is much easier to manage these tools mostly based on Linux operating system. The above-mentioned name is also package management tools. Some are advance and structured and some are limited.

What is APT?

apt is a CLI package manager tool which after the apt-get and apt-cache but this tool is much more structured and advance. This tool has omitted the requirement to get and cache. This could perform all the tasks to get and cache as well as can perform some more advance and stable commands.

What is APT-GET/APT?

apt-get is a CLI package management tool. This tool is Debian based and used in different Debian based operating systems like Ubuntu, Kali Linux, etc. Even though both apt and apt-get tool is available in every Debian based os.

Using apt-get/apt command

1. To install a package.

apt-get install firefox 
    ( or )
apt install firefox

• The following screenshot illustrates on installation of firefox on systems.

2. To remove a package.

apt-get remove firefox  
( or ) 
apt remove firefox

• The following screenshot illustrates on uninstallation of firefox on systems.

3. To remove a package along with its configuration files.

apt-get purge firefox
            ( or )
apt purge firefox

• The following screenshot illustrates on removing of packages with its configuration files.

4. Remove all the packages that are of no use. 

apt-get autoremove      
    (  or )
apt autoremove

• The following screenshot illustrates on removing all the packages that are of no use.

APT-CACHE

apt-cache is a CLI tool for searching the apt software packages. This tool is also used to get information about different packages.

1. To search for the package details.

apt-cache search firefox
    ( or  ) 
apt search firefox

• The following screenshot illustrates on searching for the packages.

2. To get in-depth package details.

apt-cache show  firefox 
    (  or )
apt show firefox

• The following screenshot illustrates on getting in-depth packages with detailing.

APT-CONFIG

apt-config is a cli tool to the configuration settings for different apt software packages. This helps in better understanding and implementing different configuration settings. This is mainly intended for shell scripting and debugging.

shell - get configuration values via shell evaluation.
dump  - show the active configuration setting.

• The following screenshot illustrates on configuring the settings of different softwares.

What is the difference between apt cache and apt file?

The following are the differences between apt cache and apt files: