For example, what is the difference between installing software (could be operating system update or any other software) from AppStore or from Terminal using softwareupdate command. Is there any difference in security, performance, reliability etc?
MacOS – the difference between downloading and installing software from AppStore and Terminal
mac-appstoremacossoftware-updateterminal
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.bash_profile is executed for login shells, while .bashrc is executed for interactive non-login shells.
When you login (type username and password) via console, either sitting at the machine, or remotely via ssh: .bash_profile is executed to configure your shell before the initial command prompt.
But, if you’ve already logged into your machine and open a new terminal window (xterm) then .bashrc is executed before the window command prompt. .bashrc is also run when you start a new bash instance by typing /bin/bash in a terminal.
On OS X, Terminal by default runs a login shell every time, so this is a little different to most other systems, but you can configure that in the preferences.
I assume you're using an operating system greater than 10.7 (10.8 - 10.10)? With Mountain Lion (10.8), Apple moved the software update process to the Mac App Store application.
Prior to 10.8 Software Updates were handled in the manner the link describes. As such System Preferences had a Software Update section for managing timing of update checks.
Following 10.8 this is no longer found in System Preferences. Instead you should open the App Store and click on the Updates tab. Alternately the Apple menu has an option for App Store which, if updates are available, shows the number of updates waiting. (see picture)
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Best Answer
They command line tool only installs security patches and applications that ship and update only from the core macOS software update servers.
The App Store apps use a different system process to download apps from the App Store from different servers than the system update servers.
Both of the above can be cached locally from caching servers. The graphical Mac App Store app calls both of the processes in an attempt to let people see one interface when there are really several underlying and different processes at work.
For a quick overview the above programs / tools and daemons (programs that run in the background and are asked to do work from a queue periodically or on demand) are the main players that handle software updates and Mac App Store apps and updates.
A full treatment of how, caching, design, logs would take a nice chapter or two in a book, but hopefully this goes a few layers deeper so you understand why some updates can be scripted (system ones) and which need you to click a button or add a third party app (App Store ones) to be scripted or automated.