Are you new to Ubuntu and finding yourself stuck when it comes to installing commands? You’re not alone. Many users transitioning to Ubuntu 24.04 face this common challenge, but mastering command installation is simpler than you might think.
Ubuntu’s package management system is one of its strongest features, offering multiple methods to install commands:
- Through the command line interface
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Via the Ubuntu Software Center
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Using downloadable .deb packages
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an intermediate user looking to expand your Ubuntu toolkit, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to install commands effectively. We’ll explore the most reliable methods while helping you understand each installation approach’s process.
Understanding how to install commands in Ubuntu isn’t just about following steps—it’s about building a foundation for your Linux journey.
Let’s dive into the straightforward process of adding new commands to your Ubuntu 24.04 system, ensuring you can confidently expand your system’s capabilities.
What Does “Installing a Command” Even Mean?
Installing a Command” means making a program or tool accessible and executable by your computer’s command-line interface (like Terminal or Command Prompt).
It typically involves copying necessary files to specific system directories and configuring the system so that when you type the command’s name, the operating system knows where to find and run the associated program.
Installing a Command Using APT (The Default Way)
You’re likely asking about how to install software packages on a Debian-based Linux distribution (like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc.) using the apt command. Here’s a breakdown of the standard way to do it:
The Fundamental Command:
Main command for installing plans using APT is:
sudo apt install <package_name>
Let’s break down each part:
sudo: This command stands for “Super User Do”. It allows you to execute commands with administrative privileges, which are necessary for installing software on most Linux systems. You’ll typically be prompted for your user password when you use sudo.
apt: A command-line tool is useful for interacting with the Advanced Package Tool (APT) system. APT is the plan management system used by Debian and its derivatives.
install: This is the action you want APT to perform – to install a specified package.
<package_name>: It is the software package that can be used to install. You need to know the exact name of the package as it’s known in the software repositories.
How to install Command Using APT (Actual Progress)
1 Open your Terminal: You’ll need to access the command line interface. You can usually do this by searching for “Terminal” in your application menu or by using a keyboard shortcut (often Ctrl+Alt+T).
2 Update the Package Lists (Recommended): Before installing any new software, it’s a good practice to update the local package lists from the repositories. It helps you to know that you are using latest information related to plans and dependencies.
Run the following command:
sudo apt update
This command downloads package information from the configured software sources.
3 Identify the Package Name: You need to know the exact name of the command or software you want to install. In case you’re not sure then you can opt for using apt search:
apt search <keyword>
You can change/replace <keyword> with a term related to the software you’re searching for.
The output will list packages that match your search terms, along with brief descriptions.
4. Install the Package: Once you have the correct package name, use the sudo apt install command as described earlier:
sudo apt install <package_name>
You can use <package_name> with the real name of the plan you want to install.
5 Confirm Installation (If Prompted): APT will analyze the dependencies of the package you want to install. If it needs to install additional packages (dependencies) or if it needs to remove any conflicting packages, it will present you with a summary of the changes and ask for your confirmation. Type y (for yes) and press Enter to proceed with the installation, or n (for no) to cancel.
6 Wait for Installation: APT will download the necessary files from the repositories and install them on your system. This process might take a few moments depending on the size of the package and your internet connection speed.
7 Verify Installation (Optional): After the installation is complete, you can often verify that the command or software is installed correctly by trying to run it. For a command-line tool, you might try typing its name and pressing Enter. For a graphical application, you might find it in your application menu.
Example
Let’s say you want to install the neofetch command, which displays system information in the terminal.
1 Open your terminal.
2 Update the package lists:
sudo apt update
3 Search for the package (optional, if you’re not sure of the exact name):
apt search neofetch
4. Install the neofetch package:
sudo apt install neofetch
5 Confirm the installation if prompted by typing y and pressing Enter.
6 Once installed, you can run neofetch in your terminal to see it in action.