# Synaptic (software)

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Synaptic_(software).md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_(software)
> Source revision: 1352224176
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{short description|GTK GUI front end for APT package manager}}
{{Distinguish|Symantec}}
{{Infobox software
| name                   = mySynaptic
| title                  = Package Manager
| logo                   = File:Synaptic.svg
| logo caption           =
| logo_size              =
| logo_alt               =
| screenshot             = 200px|Synaptic Package Manager on Debian Trixie
| caption                = Synaptic on [Debian](/source/Debian) Trixie
| screenshot_size        = 500px
| screenshot_alt         = yes
| collapsible            = yes
| author                 = Alfredo Kojima, Gustavo Niemeyer and Michael Vogt
| developer              = [Canonical Ltd](/source/Canonical_Ltd)
| released               = {{Start date and age|2001|11|13}}<ref name="ZDNETJW">{{cite web |last1=Wallen |first1=Jack |title=The Linux tool you forgot about: How Synaptic makes software installation a breeze |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-linux-tool-you-forgot-about-how-synaptic-makes-software-installation-a-breeze/ |website=[ZDNET](/source/ZDNET) |date=3 February 2025 |access-date=26 September 2025 |ref=ZDNETJW}}</ref>
| discontinued           = 
| latest release version = 0.91.7
| latest release date    = {{Start date and age|2025|04|06}}
| latest preview version = 
| latest preview date    = <!-- {{Start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|df=yes/no}} -->
| programming language   = [C](/source/C_(programming_language)), [C++](/source/C%2B%2B), [Python](/source/Python_(programming_language))
| operating system       = [Debian](/source/Debian) and derivatives
| platform               = 
| size                   = 
| language               = [English](/source/English_language)
| language count         = 
| language footnote      = 
| genre                  = [Package manager](/source/Package_management_system)
| license                = [GNU GPLv2](/source/GNU_GPLv2)<ref name = "License" />
| website                = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''Synaptic''' is a [GTK](/source/GTK)-based [graphical user interface](/source/graphical_user_interface) designed for the [APT](/source/APT_(software)) [package manager](/source/package_manager) used by the [Debian](/source/Debian) [Linux distribution](/source/Linux_distribution) and its derivatives.<ref name = "Garcia, ubunlog, 2013" /> Synaptic is usually used on systems based on [deb](/source/Deb_(file_format)) packages but can also be used on systems based on [RPM](/source/RPM_Package_Manager) packages. It can be used to install, remove and upgrade software packages and to add [repositories](/source/Software_repository).

==Usage==
Synaptic is a lightweight package manager that enables the user to install, upgrade or remove software packages.<ref name="FOSSAP">{{cite web |last1=Prakash |first1=Abhishek |title=Using the Lightweight Package Manager Synaptic in Ubuntu Linux |url=https://itsfoss.com/synaptic-package-manager/ |website=It's Foss |date=4 March 2024 |access-date=26 September 2025 |ref=FOSSAP}}</ref> To install or remove a package a user must search or navigate to the package, then mark it for installation or removal. Changes are not applied instantly; the user must first mark all changes and then apply them.<ref name="MUODD">{{cite web |last1=Delony |first1=David |title=How to Graphically Manage Packages on a Chromebook With Synaptic |url=https://www.makeuseof.com/chromebook-manage-packages-graphically-with-synaptic/ |website=Make Use Of |date=2 March 2023 |access-date=26 September 2025 |ref=MUODD}}</ref><ref name="MUOSH">{{cite web |last1=Hameed |first1=Sharqa |title=How to Install Synaptic Package Manager on Ubuntu |url=https://www.makeuseof.com/install-synaptic-package-manager-on-ubuntu/ |website=Make Use Of |date=17 October 2023 |access-date=26 September 2025 |ref=MUOSH}}</ref>

==History==
Synaptic development was funded by the Brazilian company [Conectiva](/source/Mandriva),<ref name = "Softpedia, 2007" /> which asked Alfredo Kojima, then an employee, to write a graphical front-end for APT, continuing the work initiated with the creation of the APT RPM back-end, [apt-rpm](/source/apt-rpm).

==See also==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}
* [Aptitude (software)](/source/Aptitude_(software)), an ncurses interface for APT
* [GNOME Software](/source/GNOME_Software)
* [PackageKit](/source/PackageKit)

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="License">{{cite web |url=https://bazaar.launchpad.net/~synaptic-developers/synaptic/trunk/view/head:/COPYING |title=GNU General Public License, Version 2, June 1991 |website=Bazaar Launchpad (archived) |publisher=Free Software Foundation |date=June 1991 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713205108/https://bazaar.launchpad.net/~synaptic-developers/synaptic/trunk/view/head:/COPYING |archive-date=13 July 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name = "Garcia, ubunlog, 2013">{{cite web
 | url          = https://ubunlog.com/synaptic-un-gestor-debianita-en-ubuntu/
 | title        = Synaptic, un gestor debianita en Ubuntu
 | access-date  = 6 August 2019
 | first        = Joaquín
 | last         = García
 | date         = 2013-03-17
 | website      = [Ubunlog](/source/Ubunlog)
 | language     = es
 | trans-title  = Synaptic, a debianic manager software for Ubuntu
 | quote        = ¿Qué es Synaptic? Synaptic es un gestor de paquetes, de programas visual, es decir, que cuenta con una interfaz e instalamos a golpe de click en vez de escribir como hacemos en la terminal.
 | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20130817193235/https://ubunlog.com/synaptic-un-gestor-debianita-en-ubuntu/
 | archive-date = 2013-08-17
 | df           = dmy-all}}</ref>
<ref name = "Softpedia, 2007" >{{cite web
 | title   = Synaptic Package Manager Review
 | website = Softpedia
 | date = 24 May 2007
 | url     = https://www.softpedia.com/reviews/linux/Synaptic-Package-Manager-55512.shtml
 | quote   = Based on this library, Conectiva company considered the development of a tool that should fuse the point-and-click simplicity of a graphical UI with the power of the apt-get command line.}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Synaptic}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticHowto Synaptic in help.ubuntu.com, including the improvements]
* [https://github.com/mvo5/synaptic Synaptic GitHub page]

{{Linux package management systems}}
{{GNOME}}

Category:2001 software
Category:Dpkg
Category:Linux package management-related software
Category:Linux PMS graphical front-ends
Category:Package management software that uses GTK
Category:Software update managers
Category:Software using the GNU General Public License

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Synaptic (software)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_(software)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_(software)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.