update-alternatives

"update-alternatives" is a command line tool used in Unix-like operating systems to manage symbolic links to different versions of a program. It allows users to choose between different versions of a program, such as an interpreter or compiler, that can coexist on the same system. The tool provides a way to switch default programs globally or on a per-user basis. It is commonly used to handle different versions of programming languages, such as Java, Python, or GCC. "update-alternatives" maintains a set of symbolic links pointing to the different versions and automatically adjusts the links when a new version is installed. It also allows users to manually configure the alternatives by adding, removing, or modifying the available options. The tool simplifies the process of managing multiple versions of programs, making it easier to test and switch between different versions based on user requirements.