Flatpak Package Manager
Flatpak is a software utility for software deployment, package management, and application virtualization for Linux desktop computers. It provides a sandbox environment in which users can run applications in isolation from the rest of the system.
- Since:2013
- Changelog:github.com
- Discord:@flatpak
- Docs:docs.flatpak.org
- Github Topic:flatpak
- License:github.com
- Official:flatpak.org
- Reddit:r/flatpak
- Repository:github.com
- Twitter:@flatpakapps
- Wikipedia:Flatpak
#What is Flatpak?
Flatpak is a popular cross-distribution package manager designed to enable the creation and distribution of portable applications across different Linux-based operating systems. It is based on the concept of containerization, which allows applications to be packaged with their dependencies into a single self-contained environment. Flatpak provides a centralized repository of applications, which can be installed and run on any Linux system that supports the platform.
#Flatpak Key Features
Most recognizable Flatpak features include:
- Packages are sandboxed, which ensures that the applications run in a secure and isolated environment, preventing them from accessing system files and other applications.
- Provides a centralized repository of applications, which can be installed and updated with a single command.
- Uses a unified runtime environment, which means that applications are packaged with their dependencies, and any necessary runtime components are shared between different applications.
- Supports multiple versions of the same application, which allows users to choose which version they want to run.
- Provides a user-friendly command-line interface and graphical user interface for installing and managing applications.
- Supports the creation of custom runtimes, which allows developers to package and distribute applications with specific runtime components.
#Flatpak Use-Cases
Some of the Flatpak use-cases are:
- Running applications on different Linux distributions without worrying about dependency issues.
- Testing and development of applications in an isolated environment.
- Distributing portable applications that can run on any Linux system that supports Flatpak.
- Enabling the use of bleeding-edge applications on stable Linux distributions.
- Providing users with access to a wider variety of applications than what is available in their distribution’s official repositories.
- Enabling developers to package and distribute their applications with their dependencies.
#Flatpak Summary
Flatpak is a cross-distribution package manager based on containerization that provides a secure and isolated environment for running Linux applications. It enables the creation and distribution of portable applications across different Linux-based operating systems, provides a centralized repository of applications, and supports the creation of custom runtimes.
