Q1:what
First ask the Almighty man in Linux.
Mans Yum
Simply put, Yum is a apt-get-like package Manager.
Also attached are the yum Wikipedia.
Q2:how
Since it says something like Apt-get. Then combine the actual combat to learn yum immediately.
First explain the Blogger learning platform CentOS LiveCD, then the corresponding package is packagename.rpm. Familiarize yourself with the basic commands first.
Update Software Cache
Yum check-update
Yum automatically updates the list of cached packages when executing some commands. But there's always nothing wrong with knocking.
Upgrading an Installed Package
sudo Yum Update
Find Packages
Yum Search PackageName
Installing packages from the Warehouse
sudo Yum Install Package
Yum Install package-y
-Y is the Yum search warehouse does not prompt for automatic installation after completion
Install the software locally
sudo Yum Install package.rpm
Remove software
sudo Yum Remove Package
Almost understand the basic commands for package management. Here's an example of installing Firefox
Update cache first, install below
Uninstall Firefox
Q3:why
Finally, Yum is able to automatically download RPM packages from the specified server and install them, can handle dependencies, and install all dependent packages at once, without the hassle of downloading and installing them over and over again. Seems to be more than apt worry.
Get a deeper look at Yum.
Reference: Wikipedia
Yum Package Management Learning