Both apt-get update and apt update are commands used to update the package lists on a Debian-based Linux system, such as Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian). They perform essentially the same function, which is to synchronise the local package list with the repository servers to ensure that the latest package information is available.
The main difference lies in the underlying package manager:
apt-get update: This command uses theapt-getpackage manager, which has been the traditional package management tool in Debian-based systems for a long time. It is still widely used and supported.apt update: This command uses the neweraptcommand, which is a more user-friendly interface to the underlyingapt-getpackage manager. Theaptcommand provides more concise and human-readable output, as well as some additional features, such as progress bars during package downloads.
In terms of functionality, both commands achieve the same result of updating the package lists. The choice between apt-get update and apt update often comes down to personal preference or the specific requirements of the distribution or version of the operating system.
It’s worth noting that with recent versions of Raspberry Pi OS and other Debian-based systems, the apt command is recommended for most operations, including updating packages. However, apt-get is still compatible and widely used, so both commands should work fine in most cases.