How to use the command "snap" (with examples)

The snap command is used to manage the “snap” self-contained software packages, which are similar to what apt is for .deb packages. It allows users to search, install, update, uninstall, and display information about snap packages.

Use case 1: Search for a package

Code:

snap find query

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to find specific snap packages available for installation.

Explanation: The find command is used to search for snap packages that match the specified query. The “query” argument represents the name or description of the package you are looking for.

Example output:

Name                 Version    Publisher   Notes    Summary
package1             1.0        publisher1  -        This is package 1
package2             2.0        publisher2  -        This is package 2

Use case 2: Install a package

Code:

snap install package

Motivation: This use case is used to install a specific snap package on your system.

Explanation: The install command is used to install the specified package. The “package” argument represents the name of the package you want to install.

Example output:

package 1 installed

Use case 3: Update a package

Code:

snap refresh package

Motivation: This use case allows you to update a specific snap package to its latest version.

Explanation: The refresh command is used to update the specified package to its latest version. The “package” argument represents the name of the package you want to update.

Example output:

package 1 updated to version 2.0

Use case 4: Update a package to another channel

Code:

snap refresh package --channel=channel

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to switch a specific snap package to another channel, track, risk, or branch.

Explanation: The refresh command with the --channel argument is used to update the specified package to another channel. The “package” argument represents the name of the package you want to update, and “channel” represents the channel, track, risk, or branch you want to switch to.

Example output:

package 1 updated to version 1.5 in the beta channel

Use case 5: Update all packages

Code:

snap refresh

Motivation: This use case allows you to update all installed snap packages to their latest versions.

Explanation: The refresh command without any arguments is used to update all installed snap packages to their latest versions.

Example output:

All packages updated to the latest versions.

Use case 6: Display basic information about installed snap software

Code:

snap list

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to view the basic information about the installed snap packages on your system.

Explanation: The list command is used to display the basic information, such as name, version, publisher, and summary, about the installed snap software.

Example output:

Name                 Version    Publisher   Notes    Summary
package1             1.5        publisher1  -        This is package 1
package2             2.0        publisher2  -        This is package 2

Use case 7: Uninstall a package

Code:

snap remove package

Motivation: This use case allows you to uninstall a specific snap package from your system.

Explanation: The remove command is used to uninstall the specified snap package. The “package” argument represents the name of the package you want to uninstall.

Example output:

package 1 uninstalled

Use case 8: Check for recent snap changes in the system

Code:

snap changes

Motivation: This use case allows you to check for recent changes related to snap packages on your system.

Explanation: The changes command is used to display recent changes related to snap packages, such as installation, update, or removal, on your system.

Example output:

ID   Status  Summary             Spawn               Ready               Undo...
1    Done    Install package 1   XX:XX:XX            XX:XX:XX            ...
2    Done    Update package 1    XX:XX:XX            XX:XX:XX            ...

Conclusion:

The snap command provides a comprehensive set of features to manage snap packages on Linux systems. It allows users to search, install, update, uninstall, and view information about snap packages. By utilizing the various use cases of the snap command, users can efficiently manage their snap software packages.