How to install programs on Linux - Debian and Ubuntu
Are you now starting to use the Linux operating system and don’t know how to install programs? We will teach you.
Over time, it became much easier to install the most diverse programs on your Linux, Debian and Ubuntu system.
There are several commands, such as apt and yum, that are responsible for facilitating the installation of software.
In this article, we will teach you how to install programs on Linux in several different ways.
Follow the reading!
How to install programs on Debian and UbuntuThere are several commands for downloading and installing packages on your Linux system. But, without a doubt, the most used is apt-get.
Apt-get is a very versatile command because it can go to the repository and install programs automatically.
By entering the apt-get command it is possible to find a series of subcommands, each with a specific function.
The command updates packages, updates, installs, and removes them according to the termination you choose.
The install subcommand, for example, is responsible for installing the program on your computer.
From the apt-get + install + nano command, you can download the program you want in full.
The use of this command is interesting because it not only installs but also basically configures the application.
Another command used for installation on Debian and Ubuntu distributions is dpkg.
This command is a bit older but still quite efficient. To use it, simply activate the command and choose an option.
The -i option, for example, is responsible for the installation. To install a program on Linux with the dpkg command, simply follow the following formula:
dpkg -i nomedopacote.deb
Finally, another option for installing packages on Linux is through the aptitude command.
This command is a graphical tool that displays installed packages, uninstalled packages, visual packages, and commands.
This way, you can browse uninstalled packages and choose one to perform the installation.
If you have any doubts about how to use this graphical interface, just click ctrl + h and you will have access to the commands.
Learn different ways to install a program on Linux
However, you must also learn how to accomplish this in different ways. So that’s what we’re going to teach you now:
Install programs on Linux through repositories
Linux has some software repositories for simplified program installation.
The repository is as if they were the current virtual stores, available on other well-known operating systems.
This is the main way to install applications on Linux, but it may still be limited because some programs are not available there.
To install through the repositories, a package manager is used. The command for the Ubuntu and Debian distributions is apt.
If you want to install the application directly from the command line, simply use the command:
sudo apt-get install program name.
Install programs on Linux through universal packages
Have you ever imagined being able to use programs regardless of the distribution or any package, be it .deb or .rpm?
This is possible with universal packages. These packages run on most distributions.
Examples of programs that provide the installation of universal packages are Snap, AppImage, and Flatpak.
Install programs on Linux using packages already configured
The packages already configured are those already distributed in a ready file, that is, already configured. In addition, they are generally available in formats that are simple to install.
To install packages of this type, it is possible to use a repository.
When downloading the packages, you must double click on the file and then a graphical interface will open, indicating the steps necessary to complete the installation.
Another way to finalize the installation of the downloaded package is through a terminal.
Install programs on Linux via installation scripts
Some developers work with generic formats for their programs. It is possible to install these applications through a separate installer or a terminal.
To perform this installation in the terminal, however, it is necessary to know the file’s installation code.
With an installer, the process becomes very simple, where you just have to follow the steps requested by the graphical interface.
Install programs on Linux with the program’s source code
This way of installing programs was widely used in the early years of Linux. It is still an available medium and so we will teach you more about it.
The installation, in this case, takes place through the source code, or source, of a given program.
Some programs will be available as a compressed file. To install, the developer must compile and install the executables.
For this reason, it is a much more complex, time-consuming and complicated method, especially for those who are starting out.
Check here a complete tutorial that teaches you how to install programs on Linux using the source code.
Learn how to install a program on Linux via terminal
Check it out:
How to install programs on Linux Debian and Ubuntu
As previously introduced, the main command for installing programs on Linux Debian and Ubuntu is apt.
The formula is:
Sudo apt install package name
How to install programs on Linux CentOS/RHEL
In the case of CentOS and RHEL distributions, the package manager is yum.
Thus, to install, we use:
yum install package name
How to install programs on Linux Fedora
For the Fedora distribution, the package manager is dnf.
In practice, the command is:
dnf install package name
How to install programs on Linux openSUSE
The openSUSE distribution makes use of the RPM package format but has its own manager, which is zypper.
The formula for installing programs on openSUSE via terminal is:
zypper install package name
How to install programs on other Linux distributions
Linux has several distributions. In addition to those already mentioned, see a list of installation commands for some popular distributions:
- Arch Linux: pacman -S package name;
- Gentoo: emerge —ask package name;
- Void Linux: xbps-install -S package name;
- Solus: eopkg install package name.
Learn how to install programs made for Windows on Linux
For those who want to install programs available only on Windows on their Linux, know that it is possible.
To do this, you need to download a layer called Wine, which is a kind of emulator.
Basically, this program translates the DLLs from Windows to Linux.
To install Wine, open your command line and type:
Sudo apt-get install wine
Once installed, all .exe extension applications will be opened through the program.
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Conclusion
This blog sought to resolve the main questions regarding the installation of programs on Linux, be it Ubuntu, Debian and many other distributions.
If you liked the content, we recommend reading this article: “Emulators for Linux: 8 excellent options to use”.