Overview
This lecture introduces Windows package management with Chocolatey, comparing it to traditional software installation and discussing key commands for installing, verifying, and removing packages from the command line.
Introduction to Package Managers
- Package managers automate software installation, removal, updates, and dependency management.
- Traditional Windows software installation often requires manual downloads, updates, and removal steps.
- Windows does not natively provide a centralized system for managing all software installations and updates.
Chocolatey: A Windows Package Manager
- Chocolatey is a third-party package manager for Windows, not developed by Microsoft.
- Chocolatey allows installation of Windows applications from the command line using PowerShell.
- It uses a public repository of packages and allows users to create private repositories as needed.
- Chocolatey integrates with configuration management tools like SCCM and Puppet for automated software deployment.
Using Chocolatey in PowerShell
- Chocolatey can be run directly from the PowerShell CLI after the command line tool is installed.
- The PowerShell package management feature can use Chocolatey as a package source.
- To find a package with dependencies:
find-package sysinternals -includeDependencies.
- To install a package:
install-package -name sysinternals.
- To verify installation:
get-package -name sysinternals.
- To uninstall a package:
uninstall-package -name sysinternals.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Package Manager — A tool that automates installing, updating, and removing software and managing dependencies.
- Chocolatey — A third-party command-line package manager for Windows.
- PowerShell — A Windows scripting and command-line shell.
- Repository — A centralized online database of software packages.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice using Chocolatey commands in PowerShell to install, verify, and uninstall a sample package.
- Review earlier lessons on installing software and dependencies for comparison.