Package Manager

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A package manager is used to install applications, libraries, and frameworks onto a computer. There are two kinds of package managers: system package managers and language package managers.

System Package Managers

System package managers are like an App store for programmers. They install software on a computer along with the software's dependencies. Below are some system package managers and their operating systems:

  • Homebrew (OS X) - Common in developer circles. Lacks ability to lock to a version.
  • Macports (OS X) - Older than Brew. Allows locking a package to a version.
  • Fink (OS X) - Older than Brew. Allows locking a package to a version.
  • Yum (Linux) - Used on servers based off of the Red Hat Linux distribution
  • Apt (Linux) - Used on servers and desktop machines based off of the Debian Linux distribution, Such as Ubuntu.

Language Package Managers

Language package managers install libraries, frameworks, and programs for a specific programming language. Language package managers are limited in that they cannot install system dependencies, which is why when you install a database library you must install the database program to your system independently.

Below is a list of language package managers and their language: