How to maintain a macports installation
Solution 1:
I run the following
port -v sync # sync the latest definitions
port -v outdated # see what's outdated
port -v upgrade outdated # upgrade what's outdated
You can run
port -v selfupdate
every so once in a while to upgrade the MacPorts software itself. It's only infrequently updated, so I only do this when I know there is a new release.
Solution 2:
Every week or two, I do
port selfupdate
port upgrade installed
This is basically the equivalent of
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade
if you are familiar with Debian/Ubuntu.