Score:0

Ubuntu

What is the difference between these package cache clearing methods?

Anil Natha

2/20/23, 5:53 PM

When building Docker images using ubuntu, some devs recommend removing package caches to reduce the size of the generated image by running the following command:

rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*

However, there is also the command apt-get clean which removes the package cache located at /var/cache/apt/archives (reference: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AptGet/Howto)

Why do devs recommend the former command over the latter? Is there anything to gain by running both commands since they target different cache locations?

0 + 0

package-management

apt

Anil Natha

2/20/23, 7:54 PM

@user535733, sure, here are some https://gist.github.com/marvell/7c812736565928e602c4#gistcomment-2965615 https://stackoverflow.com/questions/61990329/dockerfile-benefits-of-repeated-apt-cache-cleans

user535733

2/20/23, 8:02 PM

Your [first link](https://gist.github.com/marvell/7c812736565928e602c4#gistcomment-2965615) clearly explains their purpose of deleting the list files. Your [second link](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/61990329/dockerfile-benefits-of-repeated-apt-cache-cleans) seems to be *exactly* the question you are asking, and it is well answered and discussed. Are you saying that you did not understand that correct answer or the discussion? Or are you hoping for some other answer?

Anil Natha

2/20/23, 8:59 PM

@user535733 I found these example links _after_ I posted my question simply as an evidence to your comment of never seeing devs recommend this, a comment you have deleted. I have been following the practice of using the `rm -rf` command I posted and was simply wondering why this was recommended as I recently came across the `apt-get clean` command. I didn't have the exact links/videos I had seen previously where this was recommended which was a over a two years ago now.

Score:2

Ubuntu

pasman pasmański

2/20/23, 8:07 PM

They do different things. rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/* removes package lists, loaded by apt update. apt clean removes cached packages, loaded by apt install or apt upgrade. Both require root permissions (sudo).

0 + 0

Anil Natha

2/20/23, 9:03 PM

Based on this explanation, there is then merit in performing both if the primary issue is to reduce a docker images size as much as possible.

pasman pasmański

2/20/23, 9:12 PM

Yes, better is to do both.

Score:2

Ubuntu

Nmath

2/20/23, 6:06 PM

The rm command would require sudo. So a simple typo or hitting Enter prematurely would irreparably destroy your system. There is absolutely no reason not to use sudo apt clean for this purpose.

0 + 0

Elon Musk

I sit in a Tesla and translated this thread with Ai:

EN: What is the difference between these package cache clearing methods?

TH: อะไรคือความแตกต่างระหว่างวิธีการล้างแคชแพ็คเกจเหล่านี้?

RO: Care este diferența dintre aceste metode de ștergere a memoriei cache a pachetelor?

RU: В чем разница между этими методами очистки кеша пакетов?

VI: Sự khác biệt giữa các phương pháp xóa bộ đệm gói này là gì?

Post an answer

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