One of the most important tasks in Linux is managing software — installing, updating, and removing applications. Unlike Windows, where you download .exe files, or macOS with .dmg apps, Linux distributions rely on package managers to keep software consistent, secure, and easy to maintain.

This article will guide you through beginner and intermediate concepts of package management: from installing your first package, to working with repositories, cleaning your system, and keeping everything secure.

What is a Package?

A package is a compressed bundle that contains:

• The application/program itself

• Metadata (version, description, dependencies)

• Installation/removal scripts

Packages are stored in repositories — online servers maintained by your Linux distribution.

What is a Package Manager?

A package manager is your toolkit for handling software. It:

• Installs and removes programs

• Automatically resolves dependencies

• Updates software to newer versions

• Cleans up unused packages

• Verifies security with cryptographic signatures

💡 Think of it as the Linux App Store — but fully under your control.

Popular Package Managers by Distribution

• Debian / Ubuntu / Linux Mint → apt

• CentOS 7 / RHEL 7 → yum

• CentOS 8+, RHEL 8+, Fedora, Rocky, AlmaLinux → dnf

• Arch Linux → pacman

• OpenSUSE → zypper

Installing Software

• Debian/Ubuntu

• I tested this on Ubuntu 24 LTS.

sudo apt update            # refresh package list
sudo apt install nginx     # install Nginx web server

• Fedora / CentOS 8+ / RHEL 8+

• Tested on (CentOS Stream 10)

sudo dnf install nginx

• CentOS 7 / RHEL 7

sudo yum update 

• Arch Linux

sudo pacman -Syu

Removing Software

• Debian/Ubuntu

sudo apt remove nginx
sudo apt autoremove     # clean up unused dependencies

• Fedora / CentOS / RHEL

sudo dnf remove nginx

• Arch Linux

sudo pacman -R nginx

Searching for Packages

Not sure about the exact package name?

• Debian/Ubuntu → apt search nginx

• Fedora/CentOS → dnf search nginx

• Arch Linux → pacman -Ss nginx

Intermediate Package Management

1 - Adding & Removing Repositories

Sometimes software isn’t in the default repo.

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php
sudo apt update

CentOS/RHEL:

sudo dnf install epel-release

Repo config files live in:

• /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ (Debian/Ubuntu)

• /etc/yum.repos.d/ (RHEL/CentOS)

Installing from .deb / .rpm Files

If you download packages manually:

# On Ubuntu/Debian
sudo dpkg -i package.deb
sudo apt -f install   # fix broken dependencies

# On CentOS/RHEL
sudo rpm -ivh package.rpm

💡 In the next section, I have included some examples to practice with the manual installation guide.

Debian/Ubuntu → .deb files

Download a .deb package (example: Google Chrome):

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb
sudo apt -f install     # fix missing dependencies

CentOS / RHEL / Fedora → .rpm files

Download a .rpm package (example: Visual Studio Code):

wget https://code.visualstudio.com/sha/download?build=stable&os=linux-rpm-x64 -O vscode.rpm
sudo rpm -ivh vscode.rpm

If you prefer dnf (handles dependencies automatically):

sudo dnf install ./vscode.rpm

• Use dpkg -i for .deb and rpm -ivh for .rpm, but they won’t resolve dependencies.

• Using apt install ./package.deb or dnf install ./package.rpm is better because it pulls in dependencies automatically.

Checking Installed Packages

# Debian/Ubuntu
dpkg -l | grep nginx

# Fedora/CentOS/RHEL
rpm -qa | grep nginx

Locking Package Versions

Sometimes you don’t want an update to break critical software.

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt-mark hold nginx
sudo apt-mark unhold nginx

# Fedora/CentOS/RHEL
sudo dnf versionlock add nginx

Cleaning Up System

Over time, old cached packages can fill disk space.

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt clean

# Fedora/CentOS/RHEL
sudo dnf autoremove
sudo dnf clean all

Graphical Package Managers

Not a fan of the terminal? Linux also has GUI tools for package management:

• Ubuntu Software Center

• GNOME Software

• KDE Discover

These are just front-ends — under the hood, they still use the same package manager.

Security & Best Practices

• Always keep your system updated to patch vulnerabilities.

• Prefer official repositories over third-party ones.

• Verify the source before adding external repos.

• Be careful with manually downloaded .deb or .rpm files.

Linux Package Manager Commands