RPM Package Manager
RPM Package Manager (originally Red Hat Package Manager) is a free and open-source package management system used primarily on Linux distributions like Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, CentOS, and openSUSE. It handles the installation, updating, removal, and verification of software packages in the .rpm format, which contain compiled binaries, configuration files, and metadata. RPM maintains a database of installed packages and their dependencies to ensure system consistency and resolve conflicts.
Developers should learn RPM when working with or deploying applications on RPM-based Linux distributions, as it is the standard tool for managing system software and dependencies. It is essential for creating, distributing, and maintaining software packages in enterprise environments, automating deployments, and ensuring reproducible builds. Use cases include system administration, DevOps tasks like configuring servers, and developing software that needs to be packaged for distribution on these platforms.