Flatpak
Flatpak is a software deployment and package management tool for Linux that allows applications to run in isolated sandboxed environments, independent of the underlying system libraries and dependencies. It provides a universal packaging format that works across different Linux distributions, enabling developers to distribute applications consistently without worrying about distribution-specific differences. This approach enhances security through containerization and simplifies installation and updates for end-users.
Developers should learn Flatpak when building desktop applications for Linux that need to run reliably across multiple distributions, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, or Arch, without compatibility issues. It is particularly useful for distributing proprietary or complex applications with specific dependencies, as it bundles libraries and runtime environments, reducing support overhead. Use cases include GUI applications, development tools, and software that requires newer library versions than those available in stable distribution repositories.