I'm curious about the differences between package managers and how they relate to repositories in Linux. For instance, if APT or DNF repositories have everything I might need, why would I consider using Flatpak or any other third-party package manager? What are the advantages or potential downsides?
1 Answer
System package managers like APT, DNF, and others focus on managing the core system components. Each distro gives you a unique set of packages, making it easier to configure specific installations. However, they rely heavily on distro developers for updates, which can be a hassle. This is where universal package managers like Flatpak and Snap come in—they help deliver software across different distros more efficiently without having to worry about compatibility issues. They also allow developers to maintain control over their applications and provide quicker updates.
This decentralized nature can definitely be a double-edged sword; getting software to work across multiple distros becomes quite complex!