apt-get cheat sheet

apt-get command cheat sheet for Debian Linux

apt-get is the command-line tool for handling packages for Debian Linux which is use to:

• Install/manage individual packages
• Upgrade packages
• Apply security patch(s)
• Keep Debian system up to date
• Download source .deb files
• Front-end to many GUI and other utilities

Here is quick cheat sheet you will find handy while using apt-get at shell prompt:

Syntax	Description	Example(s)
apt-get install {package}	Install the new package. If package is installed then try to upgrade to latest version	apt-get install zip apt-get install lsof samba mysql-client
apt-get remove {package}	Remove/Delete an installed package except configuration files	apt-get remove zip
apt-get --purge remove {package}	Remove/Delete everything including configuration files	apt-get --purge remove mysql-server
apt-get update apt-get upgrade	Resynchronize the package index files and Upgrade the Debian Linux system including security update (Internet access required)	apt-get update apt-get upgrade
apt-get update apt-get dist-upgrade	Usually use to upgrade to Debian distribution. For example Woody to Sarge upgrade. 'dist-upgrade' in addition to performing the function of upgrade, also intelligently handles changing dependencies with new versions of packages; apt-get has a "smart" conflict resolution system, and it will attempt to upgrade the most important packages at the expense of less important ones if necessary.	apt-get update apt-get dist-upgrade