Apt is a command line utility used in Ubuntu to manage software packages. It uses a list of available software and where to get it.
It must be run as sudo:
sudo apt-get check
This example checks for any problems in currently installed programs.
There are many ways to install software under Linux, but there are several advantages to apt:
The most common use for apt is to install new software:
sudo apt-get install packagename
Any required dependancies are resolved and you are asked if you wish to proceed. You will also be told if any problems might arise.
To remove a package:
sudo apt-get remove packagename
If you wish to remove a package and all its dependancies:
sudo apt-get autoremove packagename
Lastly if you want to remove any configuration files then:
sudo apt-get –purge autoremove packagename
You can update your source lists (what software is available) b:
sudo apt-get update
Available upgradescan be shown by typing:
sudo apt-get upgrade
Or upgrade the entire distribution using
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
To free up disk space by running
sudo apt-get autoclean
This removes deb packages for uninstalled applications, you can remove them for installed packages using:
sudo apt-get clean
Lastly, you can reconfigure an installed package by running:
dpkg-reconfigure packagename
You can increase the download speed when using apt in Ubuntu 7.10 by finding the fastest available source. First click on System>Administration>Software Sources.
Choose Other from the Download From list box then click on the Select Best Server button.