ubuntu package

Installing packages (programs) and libraries

In Ubuntu there are two ways to install packages into your system.

You can install packages from the command-line Terminal or from the Synaptic Package Manager

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How to install a package with Apt (from the command-line terminal)

• Apt is the Debian Package Manager and is used in Ubuntu as well.

• Start the command line terminal:

 System --> Accessories --> Terminal

• Install a package by typing:

 sudo apt-get install package

• To install the music player Amarok, for example:

 sudo apt-get install amarok

• Remove a package:

 sudo apt-get remove package

• To remove the Exaile music player, for example:

 sudo apt-get remove exaile

• Apt checks the dependencies of a program automatically it is installed or removed.

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How to install a package with Synaptic Package Manager

• Start Synaptic Package Manager:

System --> Administration --> Synaptic Package Manager

• Search for a complete or package using the Search Button.

• Click the box(es) of the package(s) to be installed; it/(they) will be entered into the installation queue.

• Press "Apply". Synaptic calculates the dependencies and installs the selected package as well as the packages on which it is dependent.

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Searching for a package/program

There are several ways to find packages in the repositories.

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Find a package in Synaptic

• Open Synaptic:

System --> Administration --> Synaptic Package Manager

• Press the Search button.

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Select the fastest mirror

• See How to select the fastest mirror.

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Find a package on the Ubuntu website

• Go to the Ubuntu Packages website.

• Search the Hardy packages at:

• http://packages.ubuntu.com/hardy/
• http://packages.ubuntu.com/hardy-updates/
• http://packages.ubuntu.com/hardy-backports/ :*http://packages.ubuntu.com/hardy-backports/main/newpkg

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Find a package with Apt

• Open a command-line terminal:

 Applications --> Accessories --> Terminal

• Search for a package-name in the cache.

  sudo apt-cache search 

• Example:

  sudo apt-cache search music player

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Find a package in Aptitude

• Aptitude is a menu-driven version of apt. It is invoked from the command-line terminal.

Applications --> Accessories --> Terminal
user> aptitude

• Use the Search option similar to Synaptic Package Manager.

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Add a program to the Applications menu

• Right click on the menu bar to edit the menus.

• Optionally, from the command-line terminal:

alacarte

• To find the location of the application on the hard drive:

  locate