What is RPM Package Manager?

RPM Package Manager (RPM), originally called the Red Hat Package Manager, is an open source program for installing, uninstalling and managing software packages in Linux. RPM was developed on the basis of the Linux Standard Base (LSB). The "RPM" portion of this term arises from the fact that .rpm is the default extension for files used by the program.

Advantages of RPM include straightforward program installation and uninstallation, automatic installation, ease of updating programs originally installed with RPM and availability of most Linux distributions. Limitations include lack of backward compatibility or inadequate documentation for certain programs, and a relatively steep learning curve.

RPM is available under the Free Software Foundation GNU General Public License.