Chapter 14: Package Management in WSL Ubuntu

Package management is a key skill in Linux. WSL Ubuntu uses apt (Advanced Package Tool) to install, update, and remove software efficiently. Understanding package management keeps your system up-to-date and secure.

In this chapter, you’ll learn essential apt commands, how to search for packages, install software, update your system, and remove unnecessary packages.

📌 Updating the Package Index

sudo apt update

Refreshes the package list from repositories to ensure you install the latest versions.

📌 Upgrading Installed Packages

sudo apt upgrade

Upgrades all installed packages to the latest available versions.

📌 Installing Packages

sudo apt install package-name

Example:

sudo apt install git

📌 Removing Packages

sudo apt remove package-name

Removes the package but keeps configuration files.

sudo apt purge package-name

Removes the package along with configuration files.

📌 Searching for Packages

apt search package-name

Helps you find available software packages in repositories.

📌 Cleaning Up Unused Packages

sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt clean

Frees disk space by removing unnecessary packages and cached files.

📌 Managing Repositories

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:repository-name
sudo apt update

Adds external repositories to access additional software.

🧪 Practice Exercises

# Update package index
sudo apt update

# Upgrade all packages
sudo apt upgrade

# Install Git
sudo apt install git

# Remove a package
sudo apt remove nano

# Purge a package
sudo apt purge nano

# Search for a package
apt search python3

# Clean up unused packages
sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt clean

✅ Summary

• sudo apt update – Refresh package list
• sudo apt upgrade – Upgrade installed packages
• sudo apt install – Install software
• sudo apt remove / purge – Remove software
• apt search – Search for packages
• Use autoremove and clean to free space
• Add repositories to install additional software

▶️ Coming Up Next

Chapter 15 – Shell Scripting Basics in WSL Ubuntu
Learn how to automate tasks, write simple scripts, and use variables, loops, and conditionals in Bash shell scripting.