What is the difference between yum and apt-get?

Package management is a fundamental aspect of any Linux distribution, as it allows users to easily install, update, and remove software packages. Two widely used package managers in the Linux world are yum and apt-get. In this article, we will delve into the details of these package management tools, explain how they work, and highlight the key differences between them.

What is yum?

yum, short for Yellowdog Updater Modified, is a package manager used primarily in Red Hat-based Linux distributions, such as CentOS, Fedora, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It simplifies the process of managing software packages by handling package installation, updates, and dependencies. yum is a command-line tool and works with RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) packages.

What is apt-get?

apt-get, on the other hand, is a package manager commonly used in Debian-based Linux distributions like Debian itself, Ubuntu, and their derivatives. apt-get stands for Advanced Package Tool and is known for its ease of use and powerful dependency resolution. It works with DEB packages, which are specific to Debian-based systems.

Key Differences between yum and apt-get

Let’s explore the main differences between yum and apt-get in a tabular format for easy comparison:

Aspect	yum	apt-get
Package Format	RPM (Red Hat Package Manager)	DEB (Debian Package)
Distribution	Red Hat-based (CentOS, Fedora, etc.)	Debian-based (Debian, Ubuntu, etc.)
Command Syntax	yum [options] [command] [package]	apt-get [options] [command] [package]
Package Cache	Uses a binary package cache.	Uses a source and binary package cache.
Dependency Resolution	Handles dependencies with RPM.	Powerful dependency resolution.
Configuration Files	Configuration in /etc/yum.conf	Configuration in /etc/apt/sources.list
Online Repositories	Utilizes .repo files for sources.	Uses /etc/apt/sources.list and sources.list.d files.
Update Command	yum update	apt-get update
Install a Package	yum install [package]	apt-get install [package]
Remove a Package	yum remove [package]	apt-get remove [package]
Search for a Package	yum search [package]	apt-cache search [package]

Both yum and apt-get are powerful package management tools that simplify the installation and maintenance of software packages on Linux systems. The choice between them largely depends on the Linux distribution you are using. Understanding the key differences between yum and apt-get is essential for users and administrators to effectively manage packages and ensure system stability. Whether you’re using a Red Hat-based or Debian-based system, these package managers are indispensable tools in the Linux ecosystem.