A package manager is a collection of software tools that automate the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software packages from a computer's operating system. Package managers maintain a database of available packages, their dependencies, and their versions.
- APT (Advanced Package Tool): Used primarily in Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu.
- YUM (Yellowdog Updater, Modified): Traditionally used in Red Hat-based distributions like CentOS.
- DNF (Dandified YUM): The next-generation version of YUM, used in Fedora and CentOS 8+.
- Zypper: Used in openSUSE and SUSE Linux Enterprise.
- Pacman: Used in Arch Linux and its derivatives.