Package type

Types of software packages in Linux:

Linux uses different package management systems, each with its own package format. Some common formats:

1. DEB: Used in operating systems such as Debian, Ubuntu and their derivatives.

• Management tools: dpkg, apt, aptitude
• Package format: .deb
  2. RPM: Used in operating systems such as Red Hat, CentOS, Fedora, openSUSE.
• Management tools: rpm, dnf, yum
• Package format: .rpm
  3. TAR: Aggregate package format, usually containing source code or uncompiled software.
• Management tool: tar (for unpacking)
  4. Snap: A package system independent of system dependencies, popular on Ubuntu and some other distributions.
• Management tool: snap
  5. Flatpak: A package system similar to Snap, which allows software to run on many distributions.
• Management tool: flatpak

1. Binary packages

→ Precompiled, installed and run immediately.

For example:

• .deb on Debian, Ubuntu
• .rpm on Red Hat, Fedora
• .snap, .flatpak, .appimage are new formats

2. Source packages

→ Contains source code, needs to be compiled before use.

Example:

• .tar.gz or .tar.xz in Arch Linux (PKGBUILD)
• Source from GitHub, use make, cmake, ninja to build

Specific package classification: