Ubuntu 16.04 LTS offers support for "Snap" packages. It's a new way to install applications that does not require the apt-get and dpkg commands that allow you to install .deb applications.
Snaps applications use ".snap" as an extension and look more like storage bins (packages). Snap applications come standalone, include all the libraries they need to function, sandboxed. They will install on their own directory and will not interfere with the rest of your system.
Although there are not many available apps yet let's see how you can install them:
Search for available Snap packages
To see the list of all available packages in the store, open a terminal and run the following command:
snap find
To search for a specific package with the name of, just add the term search at the end of the first command:
snap find_name
For a more complete description and discrete packages marked with the search term:
snap find | grep search_request
How to Install a Snap Package
To install a Snap package, use the following command, specifying the name of the packet. You should run the command with sudo to enable it to be installed on the root system.
sudo snap install package_name
The snap command will download and install the application package you requested, displaying progress in the terminal window.
You can run the installed application just like any other application. If it is a graphical application, it should appear in the menu of your applications. Otherwise, just start typing the application name into the terminal and press the "Tab" key to complete the name automatically. Then you can press Enter to start the application.
How to Update Snaps Packs
To update an installed Snap package, run the following command, specifying the package name. If there is a new version of Snap, it will come down and it will be installed:
sudo snap refresh package_name
How to view a list of packages you have installed:
To list your installed snap packs, run the following command
snap list
For results with more info via grep:
snap list | grep package_name
How to Remove a Snap Package
sudo snap remove packagename
See recent changes
With the following command you can see a list of system changes. Displays a list of your recently installed Snap packages, which ones have been updated, or removed, and when. renewed (information), and be removed, along with the times these actions took place.
snap changes
It should be noted here that the Ubuntu developers continue to develop Snap packages, so we will probably see more options of the line orders but also in the Snap packages themselves in the future.
If you are interested in creating your own .snap packages, consult the Ubuntu Snap documentation for more details.
