Package Management System - Functions

Functions

Package management systems are charged with the task of organizing all of the packages installed on a system. Typical functions of a package management system include:

  • Verifying file checksums to ensure correct and complete packages;
  • Verifying digital signatures to authenticate the origin of packages;
  • Applying file archivers to manage encapsulated files;
  • Upgrading software with latest versions, typically from a software repository;
  • Grouping of packages by function to reduce user confusion;
  • Managing dependencies to ensure a package is installed with all packages it requires. This resolved the problem known as Dependency Hell.

Some additional challenges are met by only a few package management systems.

Read more about this topic:  Package Management System

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