Documentation< Previous | Contents | Next >
8.2.1. Initializing APT
APT is a vast project and tool set, whose original plans included a graphical interface. From a client perspective, it is centered around the command-line tool apt-get as well as apt, which was later developed to overcome design flaws of apt-get.
There are graphical alternatives developed by third parties, including synaptic and aptitude, which we will discuss later. We tend to prefer apt, which we use in the examples that follow. We will, however, detail some of the major syntax differences between tools, as they arise.
When working with APT, you should first download the list of currently available packages with apt update. Depending on the speed of your connection, this can take some time because various packages’ list, sources’ list and translation files have grown in size alongside Debian development. Of course, CD/DVD installation sets install much more quickly, because they are local to your machine.