In Linux distributions, it is best practice to update the packages before installing a new application on your system. For this purpose, we use the ‘sudo apt-get update command’. Most of the users use this command but, most of them don’t know the exact purpose or don’t have knowledge of how it works in Linux.
In this article, we will address the question: "What does sudo apt update do?" Additionally, we will thoroughly discuss the differences between sudo apt update vs sudo apt-get update.
What Does sudo apt update Do? (sudo apt update vs sudo apt-get update)
While we talk about the “sudo apt update vs sudo apt-get update”, the sudo apt update command is commonly used in modern Linux distributions for managing package updates. It serves the same purpose as the older sudo apt-get update command. Both commands update the list of available packages and their versions from all configured sources or repositories.
The apt command, along with the older apt-get, is a package manager for Debian-based distributions that operate from the command line. With the apt command, you can install, remove, and manage software packages on your system. It allows you to update all the software on your system with a single command, including all Linux kernel updates released by Debian. When you run the sudo apt update command, it updates the local database or cache of metadata about software packages from the Debian repository. This database includes information like package names, versions, descriptions, and repository sources.
Updating this cache allows your system to check for new versions of installed packages. To view which packages have updates available, you can use the command:
$ sudo apt list --upgradable
This command lists the packages that have newer versions available for installation or upgrade.
When you run sudo apt update or sudo apt-get update, it refreshes the local package index with the latest information about available updates and new versions from the configured repositories. This ensures that you have the most current metadata about the packages, which is necessary for installing or upgrading software.
To execute these commands, you need superuser (root) privileges, which is why they are preceded by sudo. If you run these commands without sudo or root access, you will encounter an error. For example, when trying to install a new package on Ubuntu, running sudo apt update is important. Without running this command, apt wouldn't have the latest information about available package versions, which might result in installing outdated versions. Skipping the apt update command could cause installation failures or version conflicts. Therefore, to ensure a smooth and trouble-free Docker installation, updating the package index beforehand is a quick but vital step.
In general, both sudo apt update vs sudo apt-get update are used to download the latest package information from the repositories, helping you keep your system's package database up to date.
What is sudo apt update Command? (sudo apt update vs sudo apt-get update)
When you run the sudoapt update command, you may see different types of keywords indicating the status of package updates:
- Hit: This indicates that there has been no change in the package version since the last update. It confirms that the package version remains the same as before.
- Ign: This signifies that the package is being ignored during the update process. This can happen if the package is too recent to check, or if it's deemed unnecessary to update it at that moment. It's typically a minor issue and doesn't count as an error.
- Get: This indicates that a new version of a package is available. The apt update command retrieves metadata about the new package version, including details like its size in kilobytes, but it does not download the package itself.
These keywords provide insights into the status of package versions and updates during the apt update process.
What Does the sudo apt upgrade Command Do?
This command keeps your Debian-like distros up to date. Before running the sudo apt upgrade, it is essential to execute the sudo apt update command. This ensures that your system is aware of the latest available package versions.
Once the package information is updated, the sudo apt upgrade command downloads and installs the latest versions of the packages from the Debian repositories. Consequently, all the software components on your Debian system are upgraded to their latest versions.
One important aspect of the sudo apt-get upgrade command is that it only performs upgrades that do not involve removing any packages.
For instance, if an upgrade necessitates a new dependency, the command will download and install the new dependency, but will not remove the old one. Removing old dependencies requires a different command. This behaviour is often observed when upgrading to a new kernel version. To remove a package, you can follow the recommendation to use “sudo apt autoremove” to remove those unnecessary packages.
What is the Difference Between sudo apt update vs sudo apt upgrade?
Let's clarify the difference between the sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade commands. When you run sudo apt update, it doesn't install any updates; instead, it fetches a list of the latest package updates available from the repositories. On the other hand, the sudo apt upgrade downloads and installs the newly available packages on your system.
Like an IT engineer carefully managing a company's data migration from legacy systems, Debian users should exercise caution when running the sudo apt upgrade command. Debian-based systems provide a safety feature that allows you to review the updates before proceeding. After running the upgrade command, you'll be prompted to enter your password, type 'y' to confirm, and press Enter. This ensures that you have control over which updates are installed from the repository list.
The main difference is that the sudo apt-get update retrieves the latest version of the package list from your distribution's software repository and any configured third-party repositories. Essentially, it identifies the most recent versions of each package and dependency but does not download or install any updates. While, the sudo apt-get upgrade command downloads and installs updates for each outdated package and dependency on your system. However, running sudo apt-get upgrade does not automatically apply these updates—you will have the opportunity to review the changes and confirm that you want to proceed with the upgrades.
Is it possible to use together the sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade commands?
You can combine the commands sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y to streamline the update and upgrade process in one go. The && operator ensures that the sudo apt upgrade -y command is executed only if the sudo apt update completes successfully.
The -y option used with apt upgrade allows the upgrade process to proceed automatically without requiring user confirmation. This saves time by skipping the manual approval step typically needed during upgrades.
How Often Should You Run the sudo apt update?
There's no strict rule for how often to run sudo apt-get update, but doing it at least once a week is recommended. It's a good practice to run it after significant package changes, before upgrades, or if you encounter errors related to missing packages. Running it daily is also safe, especially if you frequently update packages to ensure you have the latest software versions.
Why Should You Regularly Update Your Software?
Running software updates on your PC, smartphone, or PaaS software helps it run better and faster by replacing outdated features and delivers crucial benefits like enhanced security and improved performance.
Updates protect against cyber threats by fixing security vulnerabilities in older versions, preventing malware attacks and data theft. They also address bugs that can slow down devices over time. Regular updates ensure that your device remains secure and operates efficiently, which is why it’s important to install them as they become available.
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Conclusion
The apt update and apt upgrade commands streamline Debian updates by automating the process, reducing the need for manual intervention. This simplification combines multiple tasks into a single command, making it convenient for both beginners and experienced Linux users alike. What is sudo apt update command? By running apt-get update or apt update, users can stay informed about package updates and ensure their systems are up to date.
For those looking to delve deeper into managing updates, setting up automatic unattended updates on Linux systems offers further convenience and security. This brief guide aims to provide a foundational understanding of “what does sudo apt update do?” empowering users to maintain reliable and updated Debian-based distributions efficiently.
Explore the possibilities of sudo apt update vs apt-get update on your Linux system to discover more about managing and automating updates effectively. Thank you for reading!