Difference between revisions of "Package manager"

Latest revision as of 12:38, 17 August 2016

A package manager or package management system is a collection of software tools that automates the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing computer programs for a computer's operating system in a consistent manner.

Description

A package manager deals with packages, distributions of software and data in archive files.

Packages contain metadata, such as the software's name, description of its purpose, version number, vendor, checksum, and a list of dependencies necessary for the software to run properly.

Upon installation, metadata is stored in a local package database.

Package managers typically maintain a database of software dependencies and version information to prevent software mismatches and missing prerequisites. They work closely with software repositories, binary repository managers, and app stores.

Package managers are designed to eliminate the need for manual installs and updates. This can be particularly useful for large enterprises whose operating systems are based on Linux and other Unix-like systems, typically consisting of hundreds or even tens of thousands of distinct software package.

See also

• AppStream
• Docker (software) - software which automates the deployment of Linux applications inside software containers.
• Installation (computer programs)
• List of software package management systems
• npm (software) - package manager for Node.js.
• Package format
• Windows Installer

External links

• Package manager @ Wikipedia