slapt-get

Update the list of available packages and versions

$ slapt-get --update

$ slapt-get --install [package]

$ slapt-get --remove [package]

$ slapt-get --upgrade

$ slapt-get --search [query]

$ slapt-get --show [package]

slapt-get [options] command [packages]

-a, --available
    List available packages.

-b, --build
    Download source packages and build them.

-c, --clean
    Clean the package cache.

-d, --download
    Download packages but do not install them.

-f, --force-yes
    Assume yes to all questions.

-g, --get
    Download packages into the cache.

-i, --install
    Install packages.

-o, --output-changes
    Output changes to a file.

-p, --purge
    Purge configuration files when removing packages.

-r, --remove
    Remove packages.

-s, --simulate
    Simulate operations (do not actually perform them).

-u, --update
    Update the package list.

-v, --verbose
    Be verbose.

-y, --yes
    Assume yes to all questions. (Deprecated, use -f or --force-yes instead)

--config-file
    Specify an alternate configuration file.

--debug
    Enable debug mode.

--md5
    Verify MD5 checksums of downloaded packages.

--no-gpg-check
    Disable GPG signature verification.

--reinstall
    Reinstall the specified package.

--upgrade
    Upgrade the specified package.

slapt-get is a package management system for Slackware Linux that aims to provide APT (Advanced Package Tool) like functionality.
It manages software packages, their dependencies, and their installation, removal, and upgrade processes. While Slackware traditionally relies on simple tarballs and manual dependency resolution, slapt-get automates these tasks, making package management more convenient and less error-prone.

It uses a configuration file, typically /etc/slapt-getrc, to define repositories (locations where packages are stored). Users can add, remove, or modify these repositories to access different software sources. Slapt-get downloads package metadata from these repositories and uses it to resolve dependencies and determine the latest available versions of packages.
Slapt-get primarily interacts with local package database managed by the slapt-get itself, not relying on the native Slackware's pkgtool.

Unlike APT, slapt-get does not natively perform full system upgrades in the same manner, but provides tools and functionalities to ease the process of keeping software up-to-date on Slackware systems. Its simplicity and ease of use make it a popular choice for Slackware users who prefer a more automated approach to package management.

Slapt-get does not handle complex dependency resolution as effectively as some other package managers. Users may need to manually resolve certain dependency issues, especially with less common packages.

The main configuration file is /etc/slapt-getrc. This file contains the URLs of the package repositories that slapt-get will use to download packages and their metadata.
It also allows configuring other aspects of slapt-get's behavior, such as the download directory and whether to verify MD5 checksums.

Slapt-get uses standard Slackware package naming conventions. Package names typically include the name of the software, the version number, the architecture, and the package extension (.tgz, .txz, etc.).

Slapt-get was developed to address the need for a more automated package management solution on Slackware Linux. It was created to provide a simpler and more user-friendly experience compared to manual package management or other existing tools at the time. Over time, it has evolved and gained popularity within the Slackware community due to its ease of use and effectiveness.

pkgtool(1), slackpkg(1)