How To Use APT-GET and APT-CACHE for Package Management In Linux

Finding Out Name of the Package and Software Description

Utilize the ‘ search‘ flag.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-cache search vlc
libdvd-pkg - download and install software necessary to play video DVDs
browser-plugin-vlc - multimedia plugin for web browsers based on VLC
cubemap - scalable video reflector, designed to be used with VLC
dvblast - Simple and powerful dvb-streaming application
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.
.
vlc-plugin-svg - SVG plugin for VLC
vlc-plugin-vlsub - VLC extension to download subtitles from opensubtitles.org
vlc-plugin-zvbi - VBI teletext plugin for VLC
x264 - video encoder for the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC standard

Use the following command for finding and listing the packages, which are starting with ‘ vsftpd' .

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-cache pkgnames vsftpd
vsftpd
vsftpd-dbg

To Check Package Information

Use ‘ show‘ flag with apt-cache command as follows.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-cache show vlc
Package: vlc
Priority: optional
Section: universe/graphics
Installed-Size: 4711
Maintainer: Ubuntu Developers < ubuntu-devel-discuss@lists.ubuntu.com> 
Original-Maintainer: Debian Multimedia Maintainers < pkg-multimedia-maintainers@lists.alioth.debian.org> 
Architecture: amd64
Version: 2.2.1-3
.
.
.
vlc-plugin-notify, vlc-plugin-samba, vlc-plugin-sdl, vlc-plugin-svg,
 vlc-plugin-zvbi).
Description-md5: c3a7a10e39c9ddd30da6653ec2238442
Homepage: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Bugs: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+filebug
Origin: Ubuntu
Task: mythbuntu-frontend, mythbuntu-desktop, mythbuntu-backend-slave, mythbuntu-backend-master, ubuntu-mate-desktop, ubuntu-mate-cloudtop

To Check Dependencies for particular Packages

Use the ‘ showpkg‘ flag.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-cache showpkg apache2
Package: apache2
Versions: 
2.4.12-2ubuntu2 (/var/lib/apt/lists/in.archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_wily_main_binary-amd64_Packages)
 Description Language: 
                 File: /var/lib/apt/lists/in.archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_wily_main_binary-amd64_Packages
                  MD5: d02426bc360345e5acd45367716dc35c
 Description Language: en
                 File: /var/lib/apt/lists/in.archive.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_wily_main_i18n_Translation-en
                  MD5: d02426bc360345e5acd45367716dc35c

Reverse Depends: 
  squid-cgi,apache2
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.
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  apache2-doc,apache2
  apache2-dbg,apache2 2.4.12-2ubuntu2
Dependencies: 
2.4.12-2ubuntu2 - lsb-base (0 (null)) procps (0 (null)) perl (0 (null)) mime-support (0 (null)) apache2-bin (5 2.4.12-2ubuntu2) apache2-utils (2 2.4) apache2-data (5 2.4.12-2ubuntu2) dpkg (2 1.17.14) www-browser (0 (null)) apache2-doc (0 (null)) apache2-suexec-pristine (16 (null)) apache2-suexec-custom (0 (null)) ufw (0 (null)) ssl-cert (0 (null)) apache2.2-common (3 2.3~) apache2.2-common:i386 (3 2.3~) apache2.2-common (0 (null)) apache2.2-common:i386 (0 (null)) apache2:i386 (0 (null)) 
Provides: 
2.4.12-2ubuntu2 - httpd-cgi httpd 
Reverse Provides: 

To Check the statistics of Cache

Use the ‘ stats‘ flag to check statistics.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-cache stats
Total package names: 65990 (1,320 k)
Total package structures: 110767 (6,203 k)
  Normal packages: 76420
  Pure virtual packages: 1423
  Single virtual packages: 9348
  Mixed virtual packages: 2017
  Missing: 21559
Total distinct versions: 81708 (5,883 k)
Total distinct descriptions: 101834 (2,444 k)
Total dependencies: 630746 (17.7 M)
Total ver/file relations: 85913 (2,062 k)
Total Desc/File relations: 101834 (2,444 k)
Total Provides mappings: 18563 (371 k)
Total globbed strings: 163 (2,123 )
Total dependency version space: 3,046 k
Total slack space: 33.1 k
Total space accounted for: 32.2 M

To Update System Package

For the synchronization of the package index files, use ‘ update‘ command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get update
Hit http://in.archive.ubuntu.com wily InRelease
Hit http://in.archive.ubuntu.com wily-updates InRelease               
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com wily-security InRelease                 
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Hit http://in.archive.ubuntu.com wily-backports/multiverse Translation-en      
Hit http://in.archive.ubuntu.com wily-backports/restricted Translation-en      
Hit http://in.archive.ubuntu.com wily-backports/universe Translation-en        
Reading package lists... Done                                            

To Upgrade Software Packages

For upgrading all the presently installed system software packages, use the ‘ upgrade‘ command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libntdb1 python-ntdb
Use ' apt-get autoremove'  to remove them.
Done
The following packages have been kept back:
  liboxideqt-qmlplugin liboxideqtcore0 liboxideqtquick0 linux-generic
  linux-headers-generic linux-image-generic oxideqt-codecs
The following packages will be upgraded:
  apport apport-gtk apt apt-transport-https apt-utils bind9-host binutils
  ca-certificates compiz compiz-core compiz-gnome compiz-plugins-default cpio
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Get:24 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily-updates/main systemd-sysv amd64 225-1ubuntu9.1 [13.0 kB]
Get:25 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily-updates/main libpam-systemd amd64 225-1ubuntu9.1 [113 kB]

Software packages will be added or removed to fulfill dependencies, use the ‘ dist-upgrade‘ .

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get dist-upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  libntdb1 python-ntdb
Use ' apt-get autoremove'  to remove them.
Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  fonts-stix libandroid-properties1 linux-headers-4.2.0-38
  linux-headers-4.2.0-38-generic linux-image-4.2.0-38-generic
  linux-image-extra-4.2.0-38-generic
The following packages will be upgraded:
  apport apport-gtk apt apt-transport-https apt-utils bind9-host binutils
  ca-certificates compiz compiz-core compiz-gnome compiz-plugins-default cpio
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Get:1 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily-updates/main systemd amd64 225-1ubuntu9.1 [3,331 kB]
Get:2 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily-updates/main libldap-2.4-2 amd64 2.4.41+dfsg-1ubuntu2.1 [161 kB]

Installing or Upgrading particular Packages

Use the ‘ install‘ flag with the specific package name to install.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get install apache2
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following extra packages will be installed:
  apache2-bin apache2-data apache2-utils libapr1 libaprutil1
  libaprutil1-dbd-sqlite3 libaprutil1-ldap liblua5.1-0
Suggested packages:
  apache2-doc apache2-suexec-pristine apache2-suexec-custom
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  apache2 apache2-bin apache2-data apache2-utils libapr1 libaprutil1
  libaprutil1-dbd-sqlite3 libaprutil1-ldap liblua5.1-0
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Enabling conf serve-cgi-bin.
Enabling site 000-default.
Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.21-0ubuntu4) ...
Processing triggers for ureadahead (0.100.0-19) ...
Processing triggers for systemd (225-1ubuntu9) ...
Processing triggers for ufw (0.34-2) ...

Installation of Multiple Packages

Use the below command for installing one or more packages like ‘ goaccess‘ and ‘ nethogs‘ .

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get install nethogs goaccess
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  goaccess nethogs
0 upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 244 not upgraded.
Need to get 93.7 kB of archives.
After this operation, 308 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Get:1 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily/universe nethogs amd64 0.8.0-1 [28.3 kB]
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Unpacking goaccess (1:0.8.3-1) ...
Processing triggers for man-db (2.7.4-1) ...
Setting up nethogs (0.8.0-1) ...
Setting up goaccess (1:0.8.3-1) ...

Installation of some Packages using Wildcard

root@linuxhelp:~#  apt-get install ' *test*' 

This command will install all the packages name that contains ' test' word.

Installation of Packages without Upgrading

Use sub ‘ --no-upgrade‘ command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get install apache2 --no-upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Suggested packages:
  apache2-doc apache2-suexec-pristine apache2-suexec-custom
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Processing triggers for ureadahead (0.100.0-19) ...
Processing triggers for systemd (225-1ubuntu9) ...
Processing triggers for ufw (0.34-2) ...
Setting up apache2 (2.4.12-2ubuntu2) ...

To Upgrade particular Packages

Use ‘ --only-upgrade‘ command .

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get install vsftpd --only-upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
vsftpd is already the newest version.
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 244 not upgraded.

Installation of particular Package Version

Utilize the ‘ =‘ with the name of the package and append required version. If the correct version is not mentioned, the following error will appear.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get install apache2=2.2*
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
E: Version ' 2.2*'  for ' apache2'  was not found
root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get install apache2=2*
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Selected version ' 2.4.12-2ubuntu2'  (Ubuntu:15.10/wily [amd64]) for ' apache2' 
Suggested packages:
  apache2-doc apache2-suexec-pristine apache2-suexec-custom
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  apache2
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.
Processing triggers for systemd (225-1ubuntu9) ...
Processing triggers for ufw (0.34-2) ...
Setting up apache2 (2.4.12-2ubuntu2) ...

Removal of Packages Without Configuration

Utilize the ‘ remove‘ command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get remove apache2
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  apache2-bin apache2-data apache2-utils libapr1 libaprutil1
  libaprutil1-dbd-sqlite3 libaprutil1-ldap liblua5.1-0
Use ' apt-get autoremove'  to remove them.
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  apache2
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 244 not upgraded.
After this operation, 484 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 180430 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing apache2 (2.4.12-2ubuntu2) ...
Processing triggers for man-db (2.7.4-1) ...
Processing triggers for ufw (0.34-2) ...

Complete Removal of Packages

Use the ‘ purge‘ sub command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get purge apache2
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  apache2-bin apache2-data apache2-utils libapr1 libaprutil1
  libaprutil1-dbd-sqlite3 libaprutil1-ldap liblua5.1-0
Use ' apt-get autoremove'  to remove them.
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  apache2*
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 244 not upgraded.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 180389 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing apache2 (2.4.12-2ubuntu2) ...
Purging configuration files for apache2 (2.4.12-2ubuntu2) ...

Combination of both the commands is as follows

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get remove --purge vsftpd
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
  apache2-bin apache2-data apache2-utils libapr1 libaprutil1
  libaprutil1-dbd-sqlite3 libaprutil1-ldap liblua5.1-0
Use ' apt-get autoremove'  to remove them.
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  vsftpd*
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 244 not upgraded.
After this operation, 331 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] y
(Reading database ... 180231 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing vsftpd (3.0.2-20ubuntu1) ...
Purging configuration files for vsftpd (3.0.2-20ubuntu1) ...
Processing triggers for man-db (2.7.4-1) ...

Cleaning Up of Disk Space

Use the ‘ clean‘ command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get clean

Downloading Package Source Code

Utilize ‘ --download-only source‘ with ‘ package-name’ .

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get --download-only source vsftpd
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
NOTICE: ' vsftpd'  packaging is maintained in the ' Git'  version control system at:
git://anonscm.debian.org/collab-maint/vsftpd.git
Need to get 189 kB of source archives.
Get:1 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily/main vsftpd 3.0.2-20ubuntu1 (dsc) [1,727 B]
Get:2 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily/main vsftpd 3.0.2-20ubuntu1 (tar) [153 kB]
Get:3 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily/main vsftpd 3.0.2-20ubuntu1 (diff) [34.7 kB]
Fetched 189 kB in 1s (144 kB/s)

Download and Unpack of a Package with the following command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get source vsftpd
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
NOTICE: ' vsftpd'  packaging is maintained in the ' Git'  version control system at:
git://anonscm.debian.org/collab-maint/vsftpd.git
Skipping already downloaded file ' vsftpd_3.0.2-20ubuntu1.dsc' 
Skipping already downloaded file ' vsftpd_3.0.2.orig.tar.xz' 
Skipping already downloaded file ' vsftpd_3.0.2-20ubuntu1.debian.tar.xz' 
Need to get 0 B of source archives.
gpgv: Signature made Friday 07 August 2015 02:32:08 AM IST using RSA key ID 67884CF6
gpgv: Can' t check signature: public key not found
dpkg-source: warning: failed to verify signature on ./vsftpd_3.0.2-20ubuntu1.dsc
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dpkg-source: info: applying 0050-CVE-2015-1419.patch
dpkg-source: info: applying 0055-set_default_listen.patch
dpkg-source: info: applying 0060-seccomp_sandbox.patch

Downloading, Unpacking and Compiling of a Package

Use ‘ --compile‘ option with ' source' to unpack and compile the package.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get --compile source goaccess
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Skipping already downloaded file ' goaccess_0.8.3-1.dsc' 
Skipping already downloaded file ' goaccess_0.8.3.orig.tar.gz' 
Skipping already downloaded file ' goaccess_0.8.3-1.debian.tar.xz' 
Need to get 0 B of source archives.
Skipping unpack of already unpacked source in goaccess-0.8.3
dpkg-buildpackage: source package goaccess
dpkg-buildpackage: source version 1:0.8.3-1
dpkg-buildpackage: source distribution unstable
dpkg-buildpackage: source changed by Chris Taylor < ctaylor@debian.org> 
dpkg-buildpackage: host architecture amd64
 dpkg-source --before-build goaccess-0.8.3
dpkg-checkbuilddeps: Unmet build dependencies: debhelper (> = 9) autotools-dev libncurses5-dev libglib2.0-dev libgeoip-dev autoconf
dpkg-buildpackage: warning: build dependencies/conflicts unsatisfied  aborting
dpkg-buildpackage: warning: (Use -d flag to override.)

Downloading of a Package Without Installation

Use ‘ download‘ option.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get download nethogs
Get:1 http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily/universe nethogs amd64 0.8.0-1 [28.3 kB]
Fetched 28.3 kB in 5s (5,027 B/s)       

To Check Package Change Log

The installed package version is shown as below.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get changelog apache2
Get:1 Changelog for apache2 (http://changelogs.ubuntu.com/changelogs/pool/main/a/apache2/apache2_2.4.12-2ubuntu2/changelog) [208 kB]
Fetched 208 kB in 3s (52.7 kB/s)  

To Check Broken Dependencies

Use the diagnostic tool called ‘ check‘ command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get check
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done

Searching and Building of Dependencies

Use the ‘ build-dep‘ command.

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get build-dep netcat
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  debhelper po-debconf
0 upgraded, 2 newly installed, 0 to remove and 244 not upgraded.
Need to get 966 kB of archives.
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Processing triggers for doc-base (0.10.6) ...
Processing 1 added doc-base file...
Setting up po-debconf (1.0.18) ...
Setting up debhelper (9.20150811ubuntu2) ...

Auto cleaning of Apt-Get Cache

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get autoclean
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done

root@linuxhelp:~# apt-get autoremove vsftpd
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Package ' vsftpd'  is not installed, so not removed
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  apache2-bin apache2-data apache2-utils libapr1 libaprutil1
  libaprutil1-dbd-sqlite3 libaprutil1-ldap liblua5.1-0
.
.
.
Removing libapr1:amd64 (1.5.2-3) ...
Removing liblua5.1-0:amd64 (5.1.5-8) ...
Processing triggers for man-db (2.7.4-1) ...
Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.21-0ubuntu4) ...