What is the difference between apt install and apt-get install?

It is a user interface, somewhat like the frontend of certain tools that handle package-related issues. That is, it makes use of features present in programs such as:

• apt-get, considered as the back-end of other tools that use the APT library. Some of its most common functions are downloading, installing, and removing packages for Debian systems.
• apt-cache, displays useful information from the metadata package.
• dpkg-query, a tool used to display information about the packages listed in the dpkg database.

aptis an interface that makes use of the most common features of these programs, in addition to performing other actions such as editing the list of package sources (the sources.list).

Let's take an example. has a downloadapt-get option , which is used to download an installation package to the current directory. With you can do exactly the same:apt

$ sudo apt-get download zsh
$ sudo apt download zsh  # Es equivalente

Another example is using:

$ sudo apt-cache search ^zsh
$ sudo apt search ^zsh

In which both commands will bring similar information about the packets that have that pattern. Similar, but not the same .

For more information, you can read the documentation for each referred program.

Sometimes it is better to use another tool to install than just using the apt-get, for example synapticor aptitude. It is not always the best option to use just apt-getto install.

An example of this would be downloading a specific version of, say, a c or c++ compiler . With synaptic or aptitude, you could precisely and quickly install the desired version, or switch from one version to another easily. You could also do it with apt-get, but searching and typing would make it anywhere from tedious to prone to version clutter.

Since aptit is user-focused, it can be used to do quick work on the console. However, to avoid backwards compatibility issues , it is better to use the programs it refers aptto (with their respective options enabled) than aptitself when writing scripts.

What is a paraphrase ofman apt(8)

SCRIPT USAGE AND DIFFERENCES FROM OTHER APT TOOLS

    The apt(8) commandline is designed as an end-user tool and it may change 
    behavior between versions. While it tries not to break backward 
    compatibility this is not guaranteed either if a change seems beneficial 
    for interactive use.

    All features of apt(8) are available in dedicated APT tools like apt- 
    get(8) and apt-cache(8) well. apt(8) just changes the default value of 
    some options (see apt.conf(5) and specifically the Binary scope). 
    So you should prefer using these commands (potentially with some 
    additional options enabled) in your scripts as they keep backward 
    compatibility as much as possible.

When to use aptor apt-get?

It depends, if you are going to work on common activities on the command line, you require a friendly UI to quickly and accurately install certain versions of programs, or you are going to make scripts, or you require the features of programs such as apt-get, apt -cache, etc., you require backwards compatibility (this is more focused on the case of scripts).

Both commands will work for you, what happens is that the command aptis new, something like the new version of apt-getthis command (apt) combines several functions of apt-getand apt-cachein a single command, this to improve the experience of the end user and he does not have to be looking for additional commands in case the dependencies of the program being installed are not available, however apt-getbeing older, it has more rigidity over apt.

From my own experience, I recommend you use the command that was initially created for the installation of packages apt-get installsince it has been supported since its creation, therefore it is more robust and reliable than apt.