Paketihalduri

Paketihalduri is the Estonian term for a package manager, a software tool that automates the management of software packages on a computer system. It coordinates installation, upgrade, configuration, and removal of software, and it manages dependencies between packages. Paketihaldur typically uses repositories—remote or local—that host packages and metadata describing available software.

Functionality includes resolving dependencies, ensuring compatible versions, and applying atomic transactions to avoid partial installs. It maintains a local database of installed packages, available versions, and file manifests. It verifies package integrity and authenticity using checksums and cryptographic signatures when available. It supports multiple package formats and repositories, enabling users to obtain software from different sources. It can also manage configuration files during upgrades and offer rollback or snapshot capabilities where supported.

Interface and usage commonly feature a command-line interface with operations such as install, upgrade, reinstall, remove, search, and show information. Some environments offer graphical front-ends or integration with system settings. Paketihaldur also supports offline modes via local caches or portable repositories.

Role in ecosystems: Paketihaldur is central to the maintenance of Linux distributions and other systems. While the specific implementation varies by platform, the core concepts—repository-based software delivery, dependency resolution, and transactional updates—are shared across tools such as APT, DNF, Pacman, and others. Security practices include package signing and verified downloads to ensure integrity and authenticity.