Description: Yellowdog Updater Modified (YUM) is a package management tool designed for Linux-based operating systems, allowing users to install, update, and manage software packages efficiently. YUM simplifies software management by automatically resolving dependencies required for package installation, making the process easier for system administrators and users. This utility is based on the concept of repositories, where software packages are stored and can be accessed remotely. YUM provides an intuitive command-line interface and can also be used through graphical tools, making it accessible to both advanced users and beginners. Among its most notable features are the ability to perform mass software updates, manage package groups, and configure multiple repositories, allowing users to customize their software environment according to their specific needs. In the context of cloud computing, YUM has become particularly relevant, as many Linux distributions used in cloud environments rely on this tool for software management on virtual instances.
History: YUM was initially developed in 2003 by a group of developers led by Seth Vidal as an improvement over the original Yellowdog Updater. Its goal was to provide a more robust and efficient tool for package management on Linux systems, particularly in distributions like Red Hat and Fedora. Over the years, YUM has evolved and become a standard tool in many Linux distributions, being widely adopted in enterprise and cloud environments.
Uses: YUM is primarily used for installing, updating, and removing software packages on Linux systems. It allows system administrators to easily manage applications and their dependencies, ensuring that software is always up-to-date and functioning correctly. Additionally, YUM is useful for creating development and production environments in the cloud, where efficient software management is crucial.
Examples: A practical example of using YUM is in installing an Apache web server on a virtual machine. An administrator can run the command ‘yum install httpd’ to install Apache and all its necessary dependencies automatically. Another case is updating all system packages with the command ‘yum update’, ensuring that the system is up-to-date with the latest software versions.
