from http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=06/07/19/1510245 :
The Advanced Packaging Tool (APT) is a distinguishing feature of Debian-based systems. APT was the first major alternative in GNU/Linux to boast automatic dependency resolution. Most GNU/Linux users know it through the apt-get command, a utility that calls on the lower-level dpkg command. However, other APT-based utilities remain largely unknown to desktop users. Some of these utilities offer a range of functionality far beyond those of the basic tools.
I posted about this on my blog :
Little-known APT utilities for Debian desktop users
http://ubuntudemon.wordpress.com/200...desktop-users/