apt-get install -y program What is the -y option for? [closed]

-y is by convention to automatically respond yes ( yes ) to issues that may arise during installation / update. Whenever you see this flag in the command that delegates a particular process is very likely to be with this intention. Prevent this question from awaiting response, eg:

Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

And follow immediately impliedly as if you had answered yes ( Y ).

In apt-get , the flag description in man apt-get is as follows:

  

-y, --yes, --assume-yes
             Automatic yes to prompts; assumes "yes" the answer to all prompts and run non-interactively. If an undesirable situation, such   to change a held package, trying to install a unauthenticated   package or remove an essential package occurs then apt-get              will abort. Configuration Item: APT :: Get :: Assume-Yes.

Translation:

  

-y, --yes, --assume-yes
  Automatic yes to prompts , assumes "yes" in response to all    prompts (questions) and runs without interactivity. If an undesirable situation occurs, such as changing a maintained package, try to install   an unauthenticated packet or remove an essential packet, then the   process (apt-get) will be aborted.

I believe that -y could be translated as "install without confirmation".

When you use it there is no need to press "S" or "Y" to confirm the installation procedure.