snap and flatpak in Linux CLI - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - snap and flatpak

User wants to install app

↓

Choose package system

↓

Snap

↓

Download snap

↓

Install snap

↓

Run app

↓

Update app

↓

Remove app

This flow shows how a user picks either Snap or Flatpak to install, run, update, and remove apps on Linux.

Execution Sample

Linux CLI

snap install vlc
flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC
snap run vlc
flatpak run org.videolan.VLC

Installs and runs VLC media player using Snap and Flatpak commands.

Execution Table

Step	Command	Action	Output Example	Notes
1	snap install vlc	Download and install VLC snap package	vlc 3.0.11 installed	Installs VLC via Snap store
2	flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC	Download and install VLC flatpak package	Installing: org.videolan.VLC/x86_64/stable Done	Installs VLC via Flathub repo
3	snap run vlc	Run VLC from snap	VLC media player opens	Starts VLC app installed by snap
4	flatpak run org.videolan.VLC	Run VLC from flatpak	VLC media player opens	Starts VLC app installed by flatpak
5	snap refresh vlc	Update VLC snap package	vlc refreshed	Updates VLC snap if new version
6	flatpak update org.videolan.VLC	Update VLC flatpak package	Updating: org.videolan.VLC Done	Updates VLC flatpak if new version
7	snap remove vlc	Remove VLC snap package	vlc removed	Uninstalls VLC snap
8	flatpak uninstall org.videolan.VLC	Remove VLC flatpak package	Uninstall complete	Uninstalls VLC flatpak

💡 All commands complete successfully or show errors if app not found or network issues.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After snap install	After flatpak install	After snap run	After flatpak run	After snap remove	After flatpak uninstall
vlc_snap_installed	False	True	True	True	True	False	False
vlc_flatpak_installed	False	False	True	True	True	True	False
vlc_snap_running	False	False	False	True	True	False	False
vlc_flatpak_running	False	False	False	False	True	True	False

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why do we need to specify 'flathub' in the flatpak install command?

Because Flatpak uses repositories, and 'flathub' is the common repo where VLC is hosted. This is shown in execution_table row 2.

Can we run VLC with 'snap run' if it was installed only via flatpak?

No, 'snap run' only works for snap-installed apps. See execution_table rows 3 and 4 for separate run commands.

Does removing VLC via snap also remove the flatpak version?

No, removing one package system's app does not affect the other. Variable tracker shows separate states for snap and flatpak installs.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution table, what output do you expect after running 'snap install vlc'?

A "Uninstall complete"

B "vlc 3.0.11 installed"

C "Installing: org.videolan.VLC/x86_64/stable"

D "vlc removed"

💡 Hint

Check execution_table row 1 for snap install output.

At which step does the VLC app start running from flatpak?

A Step 3

B Step 7

C Step 4

D Step 8

💡 Hint

See execution_table rows 3 and 4 for run commands.

If you remove VLC using 'snap remove vlc', what happens to 'vlc_snap_installed' variable?

A It becomes False

B It stays True

C It becomes None

D It becomes True only after flatpak uninstall

💡 Hint

Look at variable_tracker last columns for vlc_snap_installed.

Concept Snapshot

Snap and Flatpak are Linux app package systems.
Use 'snap install <app>' or 'flatpak install <repo> <app>' to install.
Run apps with 'snap run <app>' or 'flatpak run <app_id>'.
Update apps with 'snap refresh' or 'flatpak update'.
Remove apps with 'snap remove' or 'flatpak uninstall'.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows how to install, run, update, and remove apps using Snap and Flatpak on Linux. The user chooses either Snap or Flatpak, downloads the app package, installs it, runs it, updates it, and finally removes it. Commands like 'snap install vlc' and 'flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC' install VLC media player. Running uses 'snap run vlc' or 'flatpak run org.videolan.VLC'. Updates and removals use their respective commands. Variables track if VLC is installed or running via each system separately. Key moments clarify why repository names are needed for Flatpak, and that Snap and Flatpak apps are managed independently. The quiz tests understanding of outputs, steps, and variable changes.