A Beginner's Guide on How to Install Linux Software
January 19, 2009 at 03:01:14 AM, by Blair Mathis
Installing Linux applications can be a bit tricky... but Laptop Logic's Linux guru Blair Mathis walks you through the do's and dont's in this extensive how-to.
How to Install Linux Applications
There are several different types of installation files for Ubuntu, and few of them are as easy to install as the EXE installation files found on Windows. If you need to download an application to your system that is not found in Add/Remove Applications, then you will find yourself with one of several different types of files: .deb, .rpm, .bin, .tar.gz, INSTALL, .sh, etc.
These different files all have a different method of execution. Below is instructions on installing these file types. This tutorial assumes you are running the latest version of Ubuntu, 8.10 Intrepid.
Installing DEB files
A .deb file is the easiest file to install on Ubuntu--if you are given an option for the type of file you want to download, choose this option.
Save the file to your Desktop. Once it is there, simply double click on the file and the system package installer will open. Click the button in the top right corner that says "Install Package", and wait for it to say finished. Close the window. Your application is now installed and ready to use.
Installing RPM files
DEB files are the default installation file for Ubuntu--if at all possible, you should choose a .deb file over any other file type. However, sometimes an application is only available in one or two formats, none of which are Ubuntu-flavored. RPM is one such file type. In order to install this file, you will need to convert it into something Ubuntu knows how to install--a .deb file!
To do this, open the Terminal and type: sudo apt-get install alien.
You will be prompted to enter your password. After entering, press the return key. You will see some code scroll by quickly, and then you will be presented with the option to continue or quit the installation. Type 'Y' and press the return key.
You will see the Alien application installing; this app will be used to convert your RPM file into a DEB file. Installation could take several minutes depending on your Internet and computer speeds.
Once finished, move the RPM file to your Desktop and open the Terminal. Type: cd Desktop. This will point your Terminal to your Desktop directory where you have the RPM file saved.
Now, to install the RPM file, in the Terminal, type: sudo alien -k filename.rpm
Replace filename.rpm with the actual name of the RPM file, then press the return key. It will convert the RPM file to a DEB file. Once finished, install the DEB file using the method above.
Install BIN files
A BIN file is similar to an RPM file, in that Ubuntu can't understand how to install it until you convert it into a different format. To do this, follow these instructions.
Download and save the BIN file to your systems Desktop. Once saved, open the Terminal and type: cd Desktop
Once you've cd'ed to the Desktop, type the following line into the Terminal: sudo chmod +x filename.bin
Change filename.bin to the name of your BIN file and press the return key. Nothing will show up in the Terminal, nothing will be copied to the Desktop--it will appear as if nothing at all happened. This is not the case, however, so do not worry. Type ./filename.bin and press the return key.
The program will install from within the Terminal.
Installing a Tar.Gz Archive
Many programs are still wrapped in a tar.gz archive folder. This is similar to a ZIP file, in that all the files are contained inside, but you can't simply extract an executable file. Installing an application from tar.gz is called install from source. To do that, follow the next instructions.
Download the tar.gz to your desktop, right click and choose extract here. A folder by the same name will be extracted to your desktop. Now, open the Terminal and type: cd desktop.
This will let your work within the Desktop directory. Now, within the same Terminal window, type: cd foldername
This will let you work from within the folder you extracted from the tar.gz. Inside this folder will be a file that says program-installer. To install this, type in the Terminal: sh program-installer
This will install the program from within the Terminal. Simply follow the directions as they appear.
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Comments
MAKDEN at 12:29, March 05, 2010
Wrong title, this applies for Ubuntu, other flavors don't use DEB files.
nedludd at 18:33, February 10, 2010
Too much info for a beginner. Id start with synaptic to explain repositories, because the idea is kind of the opposite to win32 apps where you google,go to the site,download the .exe etc. Plus, it reinforces the idea to newbies that you MUST use the commandline, this is enough to switch people off since they consider the commandline a relic of the 80s. Ofcourse infact it is the most efficient tool to use a pc but thats not our fault.
Godswill at 04:17, February 05, 2010
I want a more comprehensive information on how to instal softwares.Put it in a way that can be understood by a beginer
Godswill at 04:17, February 05, 2010
I want a more comprehensive information on how to instal softwares.Put it in a way that can be understood by a beginer
vinod at 04:06, February 02, 2010
trdtydt
irfan at 14:46, January 12, 2010
pls
ihage39 at 07:13, December 20, 2009
when i double click the deb program located at desktop i get the message The utility ar is not in your PATH What do i have to do ?
Bill Gates at 02:48, December 10, 2009
Thanks Blair, keep up the bad work.
william at 20:54, November 02, 2009
Totally useless. I know nothing about linux and this article re-enforces that. what is sudo? how do you get files transferred to the desktop? Why are you using a terminal window in a graphical interface? sn't there an easier way in a GUI program to install files.? I guess I will install windows on my netbook after all. This is for the birds.
muriuki at 06:34, September 30, 2009
hi. im new to linux and all i can say is thankyou for this article. there's only one problem though. i cant install .tar.gz files. i tried following your instructions, but to no avail. more information will be greatly appreciated. thankyou
tim at 12:52, May 14, 2009
i can´t install tar.gz archives even if because i read ur article:(
tim at 12:52, May 14, 2009
i can´t install tar.gz archives even if because i read ur article:(
tim at 12:52, May 14, 2009
i can´t install tar.gz archives even if because i read ur article:(
tim at 12:52, May 14, 2009
i can´t install tar.gz archives even if because i read ur article:(
tim at 12:52, May 14, 2009
i can´t install tar.gz archives even if because i read ur article:(
tim at 12:52, May 14, 2009
i can´t install tar.gz archives even if because i read ur article:(
tim at 12:52, May 14, 2009
i can´t install tar.gz archives even if because i read ur article:(
tim at 12:52, May 14, 2009
i can´t install tar.gz archives even if because i read ur article:(
simeon m at 01:39, March 28, 2009
am a dell laptop user i want to retrieve my document from crach hard drive
Thumbnail at 11:13, February 20, 2009
You've completely omitted the concept of the package manager which is far simpler than bothering to go online and find .deb files to install and you've equated linux to ubuntu. All in all 6/10 for effort but 2/10 for actual content. Seriously, calling yourself a guru and you give people this steaming pile of hotspur?
Tyagi at 05:52, February 11, 2009
linu admin begineer
john at 08:34, February 04, 2009
Why do you equate Linux with Ubuntu? Your title suggests that you are talking about Linux in general when you are only addressing the process for Ubuntu.
john at 08:34, February 04, 2009
Why do you equate Linux with Ubuntu? Your title suggests that you are talking about Linux in general when you are only addressing the process for Ubuntu.
Gunthy at 17:04, January 29, 2009
Nice article for the beginner, but maybe it would also be good to explain to the user what exactly is happening when entering certain console-commands. The ability to actually manage and install an application is one thing, knowledge about what you're doing & what happens 'behind the scene' however is far more important (imho).
robotcalvin at 05:51, January 24, 2009
sweet good article
Andrew at 02:51, January 20, 2009
Nice article. Good info.