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Questions tagged [apt]

For questions about the use, design, function etc. of APT (Advanced Packaging Tool), the standard software package management system for Debian and its derivatives.

Here's some basic functionality offered by APT:

  • install/remove a software package (requires admin privileges):

    apt-get install/remove pkgname

  • display basic info about a package

    apt-cache show pkgname

  • display packages whose names and/or descriptions match the search pattern

    apt-cache search pattern

Here's a usage comparison with other package managers.

APT logs its activities in /var/log/apt/history.log.

The Debian Administrator’s Handbook includes two chapters which help understand APT: Packaging System: Tools and Fundamental Principles and Maintenance and Updates: The APT Tools.

Commonly asked Questions:

What information do I need to solve an APT dependency issue?

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List available updates but do not install them

I want my cron-run reporting script to notify me in case there are updates for my packages. Is the a way to make apt-get give me the list of available updates but don't do anything more?
Morris
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How to work around "Release file expired" problem on a local mirror

I have a local mirror (created with debmirror), and when I run apt-get update after a few days, I get this: E: Release file expired, ignoring file:/home/wena/.repo_bin/dists/sid/Release (invalid since 14h 31min 45s) How do I work around that?
tshepang
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Why apt madison?

A short while ago I asked this question - Does "apt-get -s upgrade" or some other apt command have an option to list the repositories the packages will be downloaded from?, about how to list the repositories packages would be upgraded from. I have…
vfclists
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Make apt-get update and upgrade automate and unattended

I have about 7 Debian servers I manage, and I would like to set them to automatically update themselves. So, I created a script as such: #!/bin/sh apt-get update apt-get upgrade and placed it on the root's crontab list. Unfortunately, it always…
Canadian Luke
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understanding the output of "apt-cache policy"

I ran apt-cache policy sudo before and after installing sudo: before install: # apt-cache policy sudo sudo: Installed: (none) Candidate: 1.8.5p2-1+nmu1 Version table: 1.8.5p2-1+nmu1 0 500 http://ftp.se.debian.org/debian/…
Martin
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How can I get a list of packages that I have installed using apt-get?

I want to get a list of packages that I have installed using apt-get. i.e. any packages that I have installed since my Linode (Debian) was initially created. Is this possible?
user598200
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Download package via apt for another architecture

I am currently in a architecture amd64, so when I try apt-get download vlc, it downloaded the appropriate architecture for my system, but how can I download the i386 version via apt? It's for export to another system that doesn't have internet…
Anonymous
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3 answers

Force apt-get to prompt yes/no

Is there a way to force apt-get to display yes/no prompt? A --force-yes option exists, but there seems to be no --force-prompt or similar option. If you attempt to install a package that has all dependencies already installed, it will begin…
Uyghur Lives Matter
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2 answers

apt-get can't find the package on a old version of my distro

I am working on a Linux Mint 16 computer and since recently, every time I want to install something via apt-get install, the log message says that the packages couldn't be authenticated. I go ahead and try to install them without authetication and…
Xar
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List (recursive) dependencies of the installed packages in APT

For each package I have installed I would like to know which packages would be installed if I uninstall it. An example of the output I need is (package: list of deps): abc: foo bar bcd: baz abc bdd: baz fuubar Append If I check what really would be…
Deleted
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Why does the apt-key man page advise against using its add command?

The Ubuntu man page for apt-key includes the following note regarding apt-key add: Note: Instead of using this command a keyring should be placed directly in the /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/ directory with a descriptive name and either "gpg" or…
Andrew
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What does "delaying package configuration, since apt-utils is not installed" truly mean? And what is the goal of apt-utils then?

I encounter a problem I'm asking GIS community of StackExchange about : a Docker installation from a postgis:postgis image that doesn't install the command it should. The current workaround I have for it, executing an additional apt-get install…
Marc Le Bihan
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What does "apt" stand for?

What does the abbreviation "apt" stand for? I'm referring to the "apt" directory, the "apt-cache", and the "apt-get" package manager. I always assumed "apt-get" was short for "get application", but i'm probably wrong.
mareoraft
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When does "apt-get install" ask me to confirm whether I want to continue or not?

Sometimes "apt-get install" asks me "Do you want to continue [Y/n]?": root@T43:~# apt-get install chmsee Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree Reading state information... Done The following extra packages will be installed: …
Martin
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Should I use apt or apt-get in shell scripting?

apt is the command that is being recommended by the Linux distributions. It provides the necessary option to manage the packages. It is easier to use with its fewer but easy to remember options. As quoted in itsfoss.com There is no reason to stick…
David Kariuki
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