Installing Software on Linux: 3 Practical Examples

Learn three simple examples of installing software on Linux to enhance your skills and productivity.
By Taylor

Introduction

Installing software on Linux can seem daunting, especially if you’re new to the world of open-source operating systems. However, with a little guidance, it can become a straightforward process. This guide provides three practical examples of installing software on Linux, allowing you to enhance your system with the applications you need. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand your skill set, these examples will help you navigate software installation with confidence.

Example 1: Installing a Text Editor Using APT

One of the most common package managers in Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu is APT (Advanced Package Tool). A great use case for this is installing a lightweight text editor, such as nano, which is perfect for editing configuration files or writing scripts.

To install nano, follow these steps:

  1. Open your terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
  2. Update your package list by running:

sudo apt update

  1. Install nano with the command:

    sudo apt install nano

  2. Once the installation is complete, you can start using nano by typing:

    nano

With nano, you can create and edit files directly in the terminal.

Notes: If you want to install a different text editor, such as vim, simply replace nano in the install command with vim.

Example 2: Installing Software from a .deb File

Sometimes, you might need to install software that is not available in your package manager. In these cases, you can download a .deb file directly from the developer’s website. For example, let’s install Google Chrome, a popular web browser.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open your terminal.
  2. Download the latest Google Chrome .deb package using wget:

wget https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

  1. Install the .deb file using the following command:

    sudo dpkg -i google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

  2. If there are dependency issues, run this command to fix them:

    sudo apt install -f

Now, you can open Google Chrome from your applications menu.

Notes: Always ensure you download .deb files from trusted sources to avoid security risks.

Example 3: Installing Software Using Snap

Snap is a universal package manager that makes it easy to install software across various Linux distributions. It’s particularly useful for applications that are frequently updated. Let’s install Spotify, a popular music streaming service, using Snap.

Follow these steps:

  1. First, ensure that Snap is installed on your system. You can check by running:

snap version

If Snap is not installed, you can install it with:

sudo apt install snapd

  1. Now, install Spotify by running:

    sudo snap install spotify

  2. After the installation is complete, you can launch Spotify from your applications menu or by typing:

    spotify

Snap automatically manages updates for the software installed through it, making it convenient to keep applications up to date.

Notes: If you encounter any issues with Snap, ensure that your system is up to date and that you have a supported Linux distribution.