Tech Guide Headline
5 tips - Linux application installation
Most people don't realize how easy it is to install applications on modern releases of the Linux operating system.
How can you avoid these traps and be one of those Linux users happily installing application after application? With these five tips, that's how.
1: Get to know your package manager
Probably the single most user-friendly package management system, on any operating system, is the Ubuntu Software Center. This tool is simply an evolution of the typical GUI front end for Linux package management systems. All you have to do is open that tool, search for the application you want to install, mark it for installation, and click Apply. And because there are thousands upon thousands of applications available, you can happily spend hours upon hours finding new and helpful applications to install.
2: Install the necessary compilers
If you have an application thatmust be installed from source, you will need to have the necessary compilers installed. Each distribution uses either a different compiler or a different release of a compiler. Some distributions, such as Ubuntu, make this task simple by having a single package to install (issue the command sudo apt-get install build-essential). Once you have the compiler installed, you can then install applications from source.
3: No .exe allowed
This is one of those concepts that is so fundamental, yet many users don't understand it. The .exe installers are for Windows only. For Linu,x you are looking for extensions such as .deb or .rpm for installation. The only way to install .exe files on a Linux machine is with the help of WINE, but most new users should probably steer clear of this tool. If you find a binary file online (one that works with your distribution), you should be prompted by your package manager if you want to install the downloaded file. If you have WINE installed,and your system is configured correctly, you will prompted (with the help of WINE) to install even .exe files.
4: Understand dependencies
This is probably one of the trickiest aspects of installing packages in Linux. When using a package manager (such as PackageKit, Synaptic, or Ubuntu Software Center) the dependencies are almost always taken care of automatically. But if you are installing from source, you will have to manually install the dependencies. If you don't get all the dependencies installed (and installed in the correct locations), the application you are installing will not work. And if you try to force the installation (without installing all dependencies), the application will not work properly.
5: Always start with the package manager
There are several reasons why distributions use package managers. Outside of user-friendliness, the single most important reason for package managers is to ensure system cohesiveness. If you use a patchwork of installation methods, you can't be sure that your system is aware of everything installed. This is also true for tools like Tripwire, which monitor changes in your system. You want to be as uniform and as standardized as you can in your installations. To that end, you should ALWAYS start with your package manager. Only when you can't find a precompiled binary for your distribution should you turn to installing from source. If you remain consistent with this installation practice, your system will run smoother longer. If you mix and match, you might find some applications are not aware of other applications, which can really cause dependency issues
By following some simple guidelines, anyone (regardless of experience level) can have an easy time managing their Linux desktop. So, users do not have to fear ok.
How can you avoid these traps and be one of those Linux users happily installing application after application? With these five tips, that's how.
1: Get to know your package manager
Probably the single most user-friendly package management system, on any operating system, is the Ubuntu Software Center. This tool is simply an evolution of the typical GUI front end for Linux package management systems. All you have to do is open that tool, search for the application you want to install, mark it for installation, and click Apply. And because there are thousands upon thousands of applications available, you can happily spend hours upon hours finding new and helpful applications to install.
2: Install the necessary compilers
If you have an application thatmust be installed from source, you will need to have the necessary compilers installed. Each distribution uses either a different compiler or a different release of a compiler. Some distributions, such as Ubuntu, make this task simple by having a single package to install (issue the command sudo apt-get install build-essential). Once you have the compiler installed, you can then install applications from source.
3: No .exe allowed
This is one of those concepts that is so fundamental, yet many users don't understand it. The .exe installers are for Windows only. For Linu,x you are looking for extensions such as .deb or .rpm for installation. The only way to install .exe files on a Linux machine is with the help of WINE, but most new users should probably steer clear of this tool. If you find a binary file online (one that works with your distribution), you should be prompted by your package manager if you want to install the downloaded file. If you have WINE installed,and your system is configured correctly, you will prompted (with the help of WINE) to install even .exe files.
4: Understand dependencies
This is probably one of the trickiest aspects of installing packages in Linux. When using a package manager (such as PackageKit, Synaptic, or Ubuntu Software Center) the dependencies are almost always taken care of automatically. But if you are installing from source, you will have to manually install the dependencies. If you don't get all the dependencies installed (and installed in the correct locations), the application you are installing will not work. And if you try to force the installation (without installing all dependencies), the application will not work properly.
5: Always start with the package manager
There are several reasons why distributions use package managers. Outside of user-friendliness, the single most important reason for package managers is to ensure system cohesiveness. If you use a patchwork of installation methods, you can't be sure that your system is aware of everything installed. This is also true for tools like Tripwire, which monitor changes in your system. You want to be as uniform and as standardized as you can in your installations. To that end, you should ALWAYS start with your package manager. Only when you can't find a precompiled binary for your distribution should you turn to installing from source. If you remain consistent with this installation practice, your system will run smoother longer. If you mix and match, you might find some applications are not aware of other applications, which can really cause dependency issues
By following some simple guidelines, anyone (regardless of experience level) can have an easy time managing their Linux desktop. So, users do not have to fear ok.
