Yum (Yellowdog Updater, Modified) is a command-line package management tool for Linux distributions that use the RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) package format. It is primarily used in systems based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, Fedora, and other RPM-based distributions.
The main purpose of Yum is to simplify the process of managing software packages on a Linux system. It enables users to install, update, and remove software packages, as well as resolve dependencies automatically.
Here are some key features and functionalities of Yum:
- Package Management: Yum provides commands for managing software packages. This includes installing new packages from repositories, updating installed packages to their latest versions, and removing packages from the system.
- Dependency Resolution: Yum automatically resolves dependencies, which are the other packages that a given package depends on to function correctly. When installing or updating packages, Yum checks the dependencies and ensures that all required packages are also installed.
- Repositories: Yum works with software repositories, which are online servers or local directories that host packages. Yum can be configured to use multiple repositories, and it can retrieve package information and updates from them. Common repositories include the official repositories provided by the distribution and third-party repositories.
- Package Group Management: Yum allows the management of package groups, which are collections of related packages. Instead of installing individual packages, users can install entire groups of software, such as development tools, office applications, or web servers.
- Plugin System: Yum has a plugin system that extends its functionality. Plugins can provide additional features like enhanced package search capabilities, download acceleration, security checks, and more.
- Command-Line Interface: Yum is primarily used through the command-line interface (CLI). Users can run Yum commands to perform package management tasks, query package information, enable or disable repositories, and perform other operations.
Overall, Yum simplifies the process of managing software packages in RPM-based Linux distributions. It provides an efficient and automated way to handle package installations, updates, and removals, as well as dependency resolution. By using Yum, users can easily maintain their systems and keep their software up to date.
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