This was shamelessly ripped from Phil's APT Quick Reference Below is a quick reference to cover some of the most commonly needed apt uses. Download and install package: apt-get install package Update apt's list of available packages: apt-get update Upgrade all installed packages with upgrades available: apt-get upgrade Upgrade to new distro, or in general upgrade anything available for update including core system packages: apt-get dist-upgrade Uninstall package: apt-get remove package Uninstall package, and its config files, and don't leave it in the database as 'uninstalled': apt-get --purge remove package Search for a package like pattern: apt-cache search pattern Get information on installed package: dpkg -s package Find which installed package file belongs to: dpkg -S inetd.conf List which files are in package: apt-file list package Find out what packages provide file: apt-file search file Run a command (such as ./configure or make) and have all necessary packages installed as needed: auto-apt run command Unless specified, the package in reference doesn't have to be already installed for these to work... but the database needs to be updated. You can update the appropriate database via: apt-get update or auto-apt update or apt-file update
