🧰 Linux/Unix: Debian-Based Package Management – apt, dpkg, snap Explained with Examples

🧲 Introduction – Why Learn Debian-Based Package Tools?

If you’re using Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Kali, or any Debian-based distribution, then apt, dpkg, and snap are your go-to tools for installing, removing, and managing software. These package managers help you handle dependencies, updates, and even sandboxed applications from the terminal.

🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to install, remove, and update packages using apt and dpkg
• How snap differs and when to use it
• Real command examples and outputs for each tool

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📦 1. apt – Advanced Package Tool (User-Friendly)

✅ What is apt?

apt is the front-end tool for Debian package management that automatically handles dependencies, repositories, and updates. It is interactive and scriptable.

🛠️ Syntax:

sudo apt [command] [package]

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🔹 Common apt Commands:

Command	Description
update	Refresh package list
upgrade	Upgrade all installed packages
install	Install a new package
remove	Remove a package (keep config)
purge	Remove a package and its config files
search	Search for packages
show	Show package details

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🧪 Examples:

✅ Install a package:

sudo apt install vim

✅ Update repositories:

sudo apt update

✅ Upgrade all packages:

sudo apt upgrade

✅ Remove a package:

sudo apt remove firefox

📤 Output:

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
The following packages will be REMOVED:
  firefox

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📦 2. dpkg – Debian Package Manager (Low-Level)

✅ What is dpkg?

dpkg is the low-level backend used by apt. It directly installs .deb files and does not handle dependencies automatically.

🛠️ Syntax:

sudo dpkg [option] [package.deb]

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🔹 Common dpkg Commands:

Command	Description
-i	Install a .deb package
-r	Remove an installed package
-P	Purge the package completely
-l	List all installed packages
-s	Show info about installed package
-L	List files installed by a package

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🧪 Examples:

✅ Install a local .deb package:

sudo dpkg -i google-chrome.deb

📤 Output:

Unpacking google-chrome ...
Setting up google-chrome ...

✅ Check if a package is installed:

dpkg -l | grep curl

🧠 If dependencies are missing:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

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📦 3. snap – Universal Linux Package Manager

✅ What is snap?

snap packages are self-contained and sandboxed, designed to work across all Linux distros. Managed via the snap command, it installs apps with automatic updates and rollback.

📦 Install Snap on Debian-based distros:

sudo apt install snapd

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🛠️ Syntax:

sudo snap [command] [package]

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🔹 Common snap Commands:

Command	Description
install	Install a snap package
remove	Remove a snap package
list	List installed snaps
info	Get details about a snap package
refresh	Update installed snaps
revert	Rollback to previous version

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🧪 Examples:

✅ Install a snap:

sudo snap install code --classic

📤 Output:

code 1.86.0 from Microsoft✓ installed

✅ List installed snaps:

snap list

✅ Remove a snap:

sudo snap remove code

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⚙️ Tool Comparison: apt vs dpkg vs snap

Feature	apt	dpkg	snap
Handles dependencies	✅	❌	✅
Works offline	❌ (needs repo)	✅	✅ (after initial download)
GUI apps	✅	❌	✅ (sandboxed)
Auto-updates	❌	❌	✅
Rollback support	❌	❌	✅

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📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps

Debian-based systems give you versatile package tools—apt for daily management, dpkg for direct .deb installs, and snap for universal apps with rollback and confinement.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Use apt for most tasks—install, remove, update, and upgrade packages.
• Use dpkg to manually install .deb files.
• Use snap to install modern sandboxed applications with auto-updates.

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❓ FAQs

❓ What’s the difference between apt and dpkg?
✅ apt resolves dependencies from repos. dpkg installs local .deb files without resolving dependencies.

❓ How do I fix broken packages installed by dpkg?
✅ Run:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

❓ Are snap packages safe to use?
✅ Yes. They’re confined (sandboxed) and receive automatic security updates.

❓ Can I install GUI apps using snap?
✅ Absolutely. Examples: snap install vlc, snap install code.

❓ How do I completely remove a package and its config using apt?
✅ Use:

sudo apt purge <package>

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