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Much of why Debian is a strong Linux distribution comes from its package management. Everything in Debian – every application, every component – everything – is built into a package.

There are many software packages available for Debian – everything from the Linux kernel to games. And their number grows with every release.

The Apt (Advanced Package Tool) package management system is a set of tools to download, install, remove, upgrade, configure and manage Debian packages, and therefore all software installed on a Debian system.

Install, remove, and change software versions

• HowToInstallPackages - how to install packages

• Synaptic - how to manage packages via a graphical interface

• AptCLI - how to manage packages via a command line

• PackageManagementTools - some niche package tools

  • apt-file - find which package provides a file

  • PeriodicUpdates - configure an update schedule

• SourcesList - how to configure extra repositories

• debconf - how to reconfigure installed packages

• Manipulating package files (in the packaging FAQ) - how to work directly with package files

• DebianUpgrade - how to upgrade to the next Debian release

• DebianPackageManagement - background information

Configuration

• AptConfiguration - Apt configuration and pinning

• PackageManagement/Preseed - preconfigure Debian packages before installation

• Backports - newer versions of packages compatible with DebianStable

• SecureApt - authenticate packages against cryptographic signatures

Techniques not supported by Debian

Debian does not guarantee these will work, but people have written up how to try:

• RollbackUpdate - switch to an earlier version of a package

• SystemDowngrade - switch to an earlier Debian release

• CrossGrading - switch from e.g. i386 to amd64

Debian package documentation

• Every Debian package installs its documentation under /usr/share/doc/<package_name>. Check this directory for more information on a specific package.

• All programs provided by Debian come with their own man page

Packaging

• Packaging - Information relevant to developers wishing to package software for Debian

Repository management

• DebianRepository/Setup - summarizes the process of setting up a Debian package repository

• DebianRepository - Debian package repository

• DebianRepository/Format - Debian package repository format

• DebianRepository/UseThirdParty - Instructions to connect to a third-party repository

Other packaging solutions

• AppImageKit - portable Linux destkop apps

• Snapcraft - a cross-platform app store, requires snappy

• Flatpak - cross-platform sandboxed applications, requires flatpak

See also

• https://www.debian.org/Bugs/ - information on finding, reporting and fixing bugs in Debian packages

• AptProtocol - Installing packages by clicking on links with apt:// URLs

• Restore an installed package permissions to their default

Wiki pages

All wiki pages related to package management:

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CategoryPortal | CategorySystemAdministration | CategoryPackageManagement | CategorySoftware