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 [package(s)]

Common commands:
  update
  install package(s)
  remove package(s)
  upgrade
  dist-upgrade
  search keyword
  clean
  list-upgradable

-u, --update
    Refreshes the local package list from all configured repositories. This should be run before installing or upgrading packages.

-i, --install package(s)
    Installs the specified package(s). slapt-get will download the packages and their dependencies, then use Slackware's installpkg to install them.

-r, --remove package(s)
    Removes the specified package(s). It uses Slackware's removepkg as its backend.

-U, --upgrade
    Upgrades all currently installed packages for which newer versions are available in the configured repositories. It leverages upgradepkg.

-D, --dist-upgrade
    Performs a distribution upgrade, attempting to intelligently handle dependencies and changes between major Slackware releases.

-s, --search keyword
    Searches for packages whose names or descriptions match the provided keyword.

-c, --clean
    Clears the local cache of downloaded package files, freeing up disk space.

-d, --download-only
    Downloads packages to the local cache without installing or upgrading them. Useful for offline installations.

-y, --assume-yes
    Automatically answers 'yes' to all prompts, allowing for non-interactive operations.

-L, --list-upgradable
    Lists all packages that have newer versions available in the configured repositories and can be upgraded.

-k, --no-recursion
    Prevents slapt-get from automatically installing recursive dependencies. Useful for fine-grained control.

-P, --prefer-installed
    During an upgrade, prefers to keep the currently installed package version if a conflict arises or a suitable newer version is not found.

-G, --no-gpg-check
    Disables GPG signature checking for packages. Use with caution as it bypasses a security measure.

-h, --help
    Displays a brief help message and exits.

-v, --version
    Displays version information for slapt-get and exits.

slapt-get is a powerful command-line package management utility designed for Slackware Linux. It aims to provide an experience similar to Debian's apt-get, simplifying the process of installing, upgrading, and removing software packages.

Unlike some other distributions' package managers, slapt-get respects Slackware's minimalist philosophy, focusing on fetching packages from configured repositories and assisting with basic dependency management by leveraging Slackware's native package tools like installpkg and upgradepkg as its backend. Users define remote package sources in the /etc/slapt-get/slapt-getrc configuration file. It streamlines the typically manual process of keeping a Slackware system up-to-date and installing new software.

While slapt-get provides an APT-like interface, it adheres to Slackware's philosophy of explicit dependency management. It can list and fetch dependencies defined in repository metadata, but it does not perform the deep, automatic dependency resolution or conflict resolution found in tools like APT or DNF. Users are still expected to have a good understanding of their system's dependencies. Furthermore, slapt-get relies heavily on the quality and completeness of the configured third-party repositories. It is not an official part of the core Slackware distribution but is widely adopted by the community.

The primary configuration for slapt-get is managed through the /etc/slapt-get/slapt-getrc file. This file specifies the URLs of the package repositories, such as official Slackware mirrors, Salix OS repositories, or other community-maintained sources. Correct configuration of this file is essential for slapt-get to function properly and access the desired package lists.

It's important to understand that slapt-get itself does not directly manipulate packages on the system. Instead, after downloading the necessary files and resolving dependencies (to the extent of its capabilities), it acts as a frontend to Slackware's native package utilities: installpkg, removepkg, and upgradepkg. This means that slapt-get maintains compatibility with Slackware's robust and transparent package structure.

slapt-get emerged as a community-driven initiative to bring a more automated package management experience to Slackware users, who traditionally manage packages with simple tools like installpkg and removepkg. Inspired by Debian's apt-get, it was developed to simplify tasks like fetching packages from remote repositories and handling basic dependencies. Its development began in the early 2000s, and it has since become a popular, albeit unofficial, tool for Slackware users looking for a streamlined way to maintain their systems and install software.

installpkg(8), removepkg(8), upgradepkg(8), pkgtool(8), slackpkg(8), apt-get(8)