What is the difference between Yum and RPM? A package manager, like Yum and RPM, takes care of packages, installs updates, and updates necessary ones while archiving the rest. How are they different?
If you’re using a Linux operating system, there are two package managers that you may come across. This is not to be worrisome, as they both have their pros and cons when it comes to different distributions and user needs. Some even find it difficult to differentiate between the two.
Yum stands for Yellowdog Updater Modified. They are package managers for RPM-based Linux systems. They are high-level front-end management package managers for Linux distributions that are RPM-based.
RPM stands for Redhat Packaging Manager. It can be considered one of the oldest package managers that perform basic functions like uninstalling, updating, and archiving the packages received by Linux systems.
The difference between Yum and RPM is that while Yum can only install packages available in its repository, RPM can install multiple packages with the correct filename and .rpm extension. Although they are both package managers and their main role is to install, update, and update packages, these two work differently.
Comparison table between Yum and RPM
| Comparison parameters | Hmm | RPM |
| Definition | It’s a top-tier, front-end package management that can do everything individually. | It is a low-level package manager that does the most basic things. |
| Source | It was upgraded from YUP to Yum in 2003. | The origin dates back to 1997. |
| Dependence | Resolve and install dependencies automatically. | It does not resolve dependencies. |
| Installing the package | You can only install packages available in the repository and it shows packages already installed. | It allows you to install multiple packages, but you will need to provide the exact name of the file. |
| Upgrade | Automatic updates are made to the latest version. | It does not allow improvement. |
| administration | It is a tool that can be used to manage RPM with ease. | It is difficult to manage when it comes to installing / updating packages. |
What is Yum?
Yum, which means Yellowdog Upgrader Modified is the modified or updated version of YUP or Yellowdog UPgrader and arrived in 2003. It depends on RPM.
It works primarily on RPM-based Linux systems and relies on RPM to perform its function, but it is also used for package management, installation, and update on RPM-based Linux systems.
Yum can perform all functions depending on RPM. It can detect and resolve dependencies. Although you cannot install multiple packages as RPM, you can install packages that are already available in the repository.
Yum can also scan and update packages to the latest versions. It is also completely dependent on online repositories.
What is RPM?
RPM stands for Redhat Packaging Manager and was developed in 1997. It is a modified version of package managers with the .pm extension that came in 1993. With some additional benefits and features, it became one of the most popular package managers. older and stronger Linux systems.
It is a free open source package management system that works on Linux distribution systems and performs basic installation, uninstallation, scan, update, etc. functions.
RPM-based Linux systems require Yum for their management, as it cannot detect and resolve dependencies on its own. But it can install multiple packages, unlike Yum, on the condition that we give it the correct filename with the extension .rpm. This would make it easier for the package manager to locate the file.
RPM does not depend on online repositories for any of its services and cannot scan or update itself or its packages to the latest versions. It can only display the currently available version.
Key difference between YUM and RPM
- Yum and RPM, although they are package managers for Linux systems, are still different even in meaning. While Yum is a top-level front-end package manager that operates on RPM-based Linux systems, RPM is a low-level package manager that performs basic functions.
- YUP or Yellowdog UPgrader was first made and developed between 1999-2000. The updated version of YUP is known as Yum and was redeveloped or modified in 2003. While RPM or Redhat were developed in 1997.
- Yum can scan, detect and resolve dependencies automatically, whereas RPM cannot. It does not resolve dependencies.
- RPM allows you to install multiple packages, the only necessary condition is that we have to give the correct file name with the extension ‘.rpm’. But in the case of Yum, it only installs the packages that are already available in its repository and shows the other packages that are already installed.
- Although one of the functions of the package manager is to install and update Linux system packages, RPM does not allow updating of existing packages, while Yum helps you to scan the packages and notify and update to their latest version.
- In terms of managing these package managers, Yum is also the software used to manage RPM, while RPM is difficult to handle in installation and upgrade cases.
Final Thought
Package manager is the software used to manage, install, upgrade, upgrade, etc. of a system’s packages. Linux based systems or Linux systems have many of these package managers where two are: Yum and RPM.
RPM or Redhat Packaging Manager, introduced in 1997, is one of the oldest package managers on Linux-based systems. Its main functions include the installation of various packages. It is a powerful package management system to install, uninstall, verify and update the packages received by Linux systems.
Yum or Yellowdog Upgrader Modifies, developed in 2003, is the package management system used for RPM-based Linux systems. They also install packages, but not in the same way as RPM. They mainly help with RPM management as well.
The fact that makes the difference between Yum and RPM is the fact that Yum can check and update packages while RPM cannot. Yum can also resolve dependencies on its own, whereas this is not possible for RPM.
