Probably default knowledge to most, but I didn't find it right way. Turns out the "install" parameter, is also the "upgrade" control for a specific package.
If you're trying to update a specific package, do this:
apt-get install <package>
If the package's already installed, the latest version will be installed on top of it. Using "install" as the upgrade parameter -- who comes up with these things. :-)
Here's a useful overview of all apt-get options: apt-get package management cheat sheet.
Thanks for this, just what I was looking for!
There are problems with this approach. In most situations, this will work, but there will be times when this approach removes packages that are dependent on the package that is being installed (and never re-installs them). For details, see: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apache2/+bug/969426
You are not alone; this same advice is offered here, too: http://www.ubuntugeek.com/ubuntu-package-management-from-command-line-using-apt-advanced-packaging-tool.html .
I don’t have a better solution to offer, as ‘apt-get upgrade’ does not allow packages to be upgraded selectively (at least according to the published documentation), but I want to warn others who are using this approach in critical production environments.
It is worth noting that Ubuntu’s Update Manager provides for selective package upgrades, but I have no idea how it achieves this marvelous feat.
@Ben
apt-get install –only-upgrade
Seem to do the trick ;)