Can't understand difference between liblapack3 and liblapack3gf

Question

I need to install the lapack library in an ubuntu computer for linking to a code I am developing.

I have been told to apt-get install liblapack3, but the only one I found is liblapack3gf. My list of apt says liblapack3gf - library of linear algebra routines 3 - shared version, but the person who told me to install it has liblapack3 - Library of linear algebra routines 3 - shared version and liblapack3gf - Transitional package for liblapack3.

What is a transitional package? Should I install lapack3gf or download directly from lapack page? should I also install liblapack-dev?

Transitional packages Q/A: What exact purpose have transitional packages? — Sylvain Pineau, Feb 24 '15 at 16:41
You'll need the liblapack-dev in order to link your compiled object files together with the -llapack switch. — Wauzl, Apr 28 '15 at 10:24

heemayl · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-24T16:38:36.010

You can think of a transitional package as a shortcut to another (desired) package. The transitional package does not contain anything but metadata that indicates that this package depends on the desired package so that the desired package will be installed when you will be trying to install the transitional package.

In you case as it says,

liblapack3gf - library of linear algebra routines 3 - shared version

As far as the description is concerned you are good to install liblapack3gf.

Whereas in other person's computer when he will try to install liblapack3gf, as it is a transitional package for liblapack3 - Library of linear algebra routines 3 - shared version the following will pop up:

The following extra packages will be installed:
   liblapack3

Can't understand difference between liblapack3 and liblapack3gf

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