Revisiting Some Linux Basics: Installing Applications

Every now and then we probably wonder about some of the basic stuff when‎ it comes to Linux. You could actually browse here on this blog itself some nifty tips about installing applications in Linux. Here’s a run-down of some of the basics just for you.

How to install *.deb, *.rpm and Source Code Files

*.deb files and *rpm files are commonly available to us users when we search for installers of applications on the internet. If you have never encountered these files before it’s best to know which ones are applicable for the Linux distribution. Both packages apply to different distributions. There are different methods you could use to install them on the respective distros where they apply. On the other hand, source code files are applicable to any system.

When learning about installing applications, it’s best if you’re familiar with using repositories. Repositories contain the packages of the application/s you might need. Repositories could be added to your package manager as needed.

How to Install an RPM Package on a Debian Box

There are times when you cannot see a specific package you are looking for in the repositories for the distribution you are using. There are times I personally see rpm files of applications I want to use but no *deb packages. What does when do when this happens? Install the rpm package! Alien will do the trick.

HOWTO: Use dpkg to Install .deb Files

If you have downloaded deb files of the application you want, you could install them using the dpkg command. This will solve your dilemma of what to do with the file. However, dpkg actually has other uses. You could simply unpack the package, show the options available and you could also remove the application via the dpkg command.

Being a new Linux user might not appear to be easy but if you give it time you will see for yourself that it’s not as bad you might think it could be. You need time to familiarize yourself with Linux as well as the whole free and open source community as a whole. And if ever you find it difficult to do any of those and yet you already need something done, you could look all over the internet there are many ways to work on Linux, as well as open source projects too, so you don’t feel too burdened at the end of the day.