Difference Between apt and apt-get Explained

Introduction

You may have asked, like many other Ubuntu users, what is the distinction between apt-get and apt? Or, maybe, where and when to use apt-get?

Firstly you have to understand when these command-line interfaces were created and what was the reason behind this development. Then, to see why you should use one over the other, you can compare them side by side.

This guide will let you know the distinction between apt and apt-get.

What is the apt-get Command?

If you are a comfortable Linux user with the command line, apt-get is possibly something that is mostly used by you. You can install, update, list, and uninstall packages from your device using this tool.

Apt-get :

It is a command-line tool owned to communicate with the APT package management framework. This tool is utilized for communicating with the system of APT. apt-cache, apt-configure also available with the bundle of apt-get.

APT vs. APT-GET: What difference does it make?

Four key variations are found between apt and apt-get:

1. The apt utility incorporates apt-get and apt-cache functionalities.
2. Extra performance and enhanced architecture
3. Changes to the syntax of commands for current features
4. Two new features have been added absolute to the apt command.

Despite the fact that these apt commands replace the mostly used apt-cache and features, most of them are not backward compatible. You should never replace older package managers with apt at all times.

$ sudo apt-get update

Now run it with apt:

$ sudo apt update 

See the apt command for any given function in the table below, as well as the command it substitutes.

Command Function	Existing Command	apt Command
Update the package repository	apt-get update	apt update
Upgrade packages	apt-get upgrade	apt upgrade
Upgrade packages and remove unnecessary dependencies	apt-get dist-	upgrade apt full-upgrade
Install a package	apt-get install [package_name]	apt install [package_name]
To Remove a package	apt-get remove [package_name]	apt-remove [package_name]
To Remove a package with configuration	apt-get purge [package_name]	apt purge [package_name]
Removal of unnecessary dependencies	apt-get autoremove	apt autoremove
Searching for any package	apt-get search [package_name]	apt-get search [package_name]
Show package information	apt-cache show [package_name]	apt show [package_name]
Show active package sources	apt-cache policy	apt policy
Show installed and available versions of a package	apt-cache policy [package_name]	apt policy [package_name]

Most of the Linux users recommend using the apt command instead of the apt-get. It’s not only easier to type and recall, it completes tasks even more efficiently.

But there exists a specific area where it is not possible to replace apt-cache or apt-get. Although you might still need to switch between interfaces on the command line, many agree that the apt command will finally take over. There is no official statement right now as to when or when this thing is going to occur.

Conclusion:

We have discussed the variation between apt-get and apt command. We have also shown you a table cart for the comparable commands of apt and apt-get.