2.3.2 APT

APT (the Advanced Packaging Tool) is an advanced interface to the Debian packaging system consisting of several programs whose names typically begin with "apt-". apt-get, apt-cache, and apt-cdrom are the command-line tools for handling packages. These also function as the user's "back end" programs to other tools, such as dselect and aptitude.

For more information, install the apt package and read apt-get(8), apt-cache(8), apt-cdrom(8), apt.conf(5), sources.list(5), apt_preferences(5) (Woody), and /usr/share/doc/apt/guide.html/index.html.

An alternative source of information is the APT HOWTO. This can be installed by apt-howto at /usr/share/doc/Debian/apt-howto/.

apt-get upgrade and apt-get dist-upgrade pull only the packages listed under "Depends:" and overlook all the packages listed under "Recommends:" and "Suggests:". To avoid this, use dselect.