Using the DNF software package manager

DNF is a software package manager that installs, updates, and removes packages on Fedora and is the successor to YUM (Yellow-Dog Updater Modified). DNF makes it easy to maintain packages by automatically checking for dependencies and determines the actions required to install packages. This method eliminates the need to manually install or update the package, and its dependencies, using the rpm command.

Installation

DNF has replaced YUM as the default package manager for Fedora since version 22. However, for earlier versions of Fedora, starting from version 18, DNF can be installed from the command-line with:

# yum install dnf

Usage

dnf can be used exactly as yum to search, install or remove packages.

To search the repositories for a package type:

# sudo dnf search packagename

To install the package:

# dnf install packagename

To remove a package:

# dnf remove packagename

Other common DNF commands include:

  • autoremove - removes packages installed as dependencies that are no longer required by currently installed programs.

  • check-update - checks for updates, but does not download or install the packages.

  • downgrade - reverts to the previous version of a package.

  • info - provides basic information about the package including name, version, release, and description.

  • reinstall - reinstalls the currently installed package.

  • update/upgrade - checks the repositories for newer packages and updates them.

For more DNF commands refer to the man pages by typing man dnf at the command-line, or DNF Read The Docs

Automatic Updates

The dnf-automatic package is a component that allows automatic download and installation of updates. It can automatically monitor and report, via e-mail, the availability of updates or send a log about downloaded packages and installed updates.

For more information, refer to the Read the Docs: DNF-Automatic page.

System Upgrades

The Fedora system can be upgraded directly with DNF, or with the DNF system upgrade plugin. Refer to the Upgrade document for more details.

Language Support Using DNF

DNF can be used to install or remove Language Support. A detailed description with a list of available languages can be found on Language Support Using Dnf page.

Plugins

The core DNF functionality can be extended with plugins. There are officially supported Core DNF plugins and also third-party Extras DNF Plugins. To install them, run

# dnf install dnf-plugins-core-PLUGIN_NAME

or

# dnf install dnf-plugins-extras-PLUGIN_NAME