Primarily, package managers solve the problem of dependencies. [1] For example, if you want to install a piece of software X -- which depends on A and B, and A

Primarily, package managers solve the problem of dependencies. [1] For example, if you want to install a piece of software X -- which depends on A and B, and A in turn depends on C -- then the package manager will install all of these for you. A package manager will also keep your software up to date automatically. There are other advantages, but basically a package manager saves you time. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Package_management_system#Challenges_with_shared_libraries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Package_management_system#Chall...