checkupdates

List pending updates

$ checkupdates

$ checkupdates --download

$ CHECKUPDATES_DB=[path/to/directory] checkupdates

$ checkupdates --help

checkupdates

The checkupdates command is a crucial utility in many Linux distributions that use package management systems like pacman (Arch Linux), apt (Debian/Ubuntu), or yum/dnf (Red Hat/Fedora). Its primary function is to scan the currently installed packages against the available package repositories to determine if any newer versions are available.
Unlike commands that directly install updates, checkupdates provides a read-only assessment. It does not modify the system, download packages, or prompt for installation.
This makes it safe to run frequently, even in automated scripts, to monitor the system's update status without interrupting normal operations. The output of checkupdates typically lists the names of packages that have updates available, enabling users to make informed decisions about when and how to update their systems. The command helps to improve system security by being up to date with security patches.

The accuracy of checkupdates depends on the configuration of the package manager and its repositories. It's essential to ensure that the repositories are properly configured and synchronized for reliable results.

The most common use case is simply running checkupdates in the terminal. The output will be a list of package names that have available updates. If no output is given all packages are up to date.

The command's history is tied to the evolution of individual package management systems. It became crucial when package management evolved to repositories.

pacman(8), apt(8), yum(8), dnf(8)