Shasha's Arena

Linux Package Managers: Simplifying Software Management and Unraveling systemctl vs. systemd in DevOps

Kunwar Shashwat's photo
Kunwar Shashwat
·

2 min read

The package management is a fundamental aspect of our daily operations. It simplifies the installation, updating, and removal of software packages, making the software development and deployment process more efficient. In this blog post, we will explore what package managers are, understand the concept of packages, and delve into the different types of package managers available in Linux. Additionally, we will demonstrate how to install Docker and Jenkins using package managers on both Ubuntu and CentOS. Furthermore, we will differentiate between systemctl and systemd, two important components for managing system services.

  1. What is a Package Manager in Linux?

    A package manager is a tool or system that automates the process of installing, updating, configuring, and removing software packages on a Linux-based operating system. It simplifies software management by handling dependencies, ensuring version compatibility, and maintaining a repository of packages for easy access.

  2. What is a Package?

    A package is a compressed archive file that contains all the necessary files, metadata, and instructions required for installing and configuring software on a Linux system. It may include executable binaries, libraries, configuration files, documentation, and other resources.

  3. Different Kinds of Package Managers:

    There are various package managers in Linux, each designed for different distributions. Some popular ones include:

    • Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) for Debian-based systems (e.g., Ubuntu)

    • Yellowdog Updater Modified (YUM) for Red Hat-based systems (e.g., CentOS)

    • DNF (Dandified YUM) - the next-generation package manager for Red Hat-based systems

    • Pacman for Arch Linux

    • Zypper for openSUSE

    • Emerge for Gentoo

Installing Docker and Jenkins using Package Managers: For Ubuntu:

  • To install Docker:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install docker.io
  • To install Jenkins:
sudo apt-get install jenkins

For CentOS:

  • To install Docker:
sudo yum install docker
  • To install Jenkins:
sudo yum install jenkins
  1. Difference between systemctl and systemd: systemctl and systemd are related components for managing system services. Systemd is an init system and service manager, while systemctl is the command-line utility for controlling system services.
  • Checking Docker service status:
sudo systemctl status docker
  • Stopping Jenkins service:
sudo systemctl stop jenkins

Package managers play a crucial role in simplifying software management on Linux systems. By understanding the concept of packages and exploring different package managers, we can efficiently handle software installation and updates. Moreover, mastering systemctl and systemd helps us manage system services effectively.

Embrace the #90DaysOfDevOps challenge and explore the world of DevOps with us! Let's bring our friends together and enhance our skills to thrive in the dynamic DevOps landscape. Happy learning!