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I recently moved from Debian to Ubuntu, I usually used apt to install package (and don't want to use the software center as apt it let me know which package are installed as dependencies).

But I already found something I wasn't expecting:
some package like atom and discord are available in the software center but not in apt, isn't the software center a graphic interface for apt? does it use something else?

pomsky
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jonatjano
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  • You didn't say which version you are running, but the later versions use the 'software' found upstream (eg. gnome's, kde's if you are using kubuntu etc). aptitude or synaptic maybe more familiar to you. – guiverc Oct 25 '18 at 12:10
  • @guiverc I'm running the software center v3.28.1 – jonatjano Oct 25 '18 at 14:25

2 Answers2

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You have just discovered "snap" packages, they are deployed by "snappy" package management system built by Canonical Ltd. (the Ubuntu company).

Snaps are containerised software packages that are simple to create and install. They auto-update and are safe to run.

Read more here: https://docs.snapcraft.io/getting-started/3876

The Software application also contains snaps, in fact

Some applications are available in both formats. In such a case in Ubuntu Software the snap will be listed first. (source)

pomsky
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    You could also mention that snaps are (generally) listed above the deb version in the Software Center. – DK Bose Oct 25 '18 at 11:51
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    See https://askubuntu.com/a/1075319/248158 which links to https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/addremove-remove.html.en which has "Applications are available in two formats: snap packages and Debian packages. An application available as a snap package is from now on referred to as a snap. Some applications are available in both formats. In such a case in Ubuntu Software the snap will be listed first." – DK Bose Oct 25 '18 at 11:54
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    When a package is available on both would you advise me to use snap or apt ? – jonatjano Oct 25 '18 at 14:36
  • @jonatjano There is one Q&A about this, but I suspect the answers are subjective. Other relevant questions and answers: https://askubuntu.com/q/948861, https://askubuntu.com/q/761245, https://askubuntu.com/q/866511, https://askubuntu.com/q/618471, https://askubuntu.com/a/1079209 (read the comments below this answer too) – pomsky Oct 25 '18 at 14:51
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isn't the software center a graphic interface for apt

No. Ubuntu software center also supports snap installation. See the snapcraft store. Discord on command line would be

sudo snap install discord

and atom would be

sudo snap install --classic atom
Rinzwind
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  • Atom (and Discord) can be installed without snap, you can use a PPA for Atom and download Discord's self-updating .deb – cat Oct 26 '18 at 01:20
  • @cat sure but he was asking about default Ubuntu. So that is regular apt and snaps. Not 3rd party. I would even advice against 3rd party if there is a snap. – Rinzwind Oct 26 '18 at 08:52
  • yes, except that snaps are not nearly as reliable or usable out-of-the-box as installed packages with dpkg and it's understandable if some user should wonder whether the snap command is unnecessary. +1 regardless – cat Oct 26 '18 at 13:05