Kernel Difference?

[dvp1964]

Long time debian user - but have an old question.

During an install I see some options along the way

linux-image-amd64

and

linux-image-3.16.0-4-amd64

What is the difference?
I always just go with the highlighted suggested choice but wondered about the difference.
I did try googling and got nowhere fast.

Thanks!

[Joseba]

As other packages linux-image-amd64 is a dependency package, is a way to upgrade "real" kernel , today package depency is linux-image-3.1 , tomorrow upgrade package and depends on linux-image-3.2 both real kernel images are different and usable, but thanks to depends you always track the last available image.

[Head_on_a_Stick]

I think the "linux-image-amd64" will provide whatever the latest kernel version is for your system whilst the other will provide the explicitly stated kernel version (3.16.0-4 in this case).

From the "linux-image-amd64" package page:

This package depends on the latest Linux kernel and modules for use on PCs with AMD64 or Intel 64 processors.

https://packages.debian.org/wheezy/linux-image-amd64