Different Linux Distributions have different ways of installing software.

A generic way is to use a TarBall, which includes the source files for the program. You have to compile the software so you can run it.

1. Uncompress the file using tar(1)

   • tar xvfz file.tar.gz
   • tar xvfj file.tar.bz2

2. Change to the uncompressed directory

   • cd file/

3. Run the configure script. This sets up a MakeFile which enables the software to compile and run on your system.

   • ./configure

4. Build the program

   • make

5. Change to the SuperUser

   • su

6. Install the software

   • make install

7. Close the terminal

   • exit

Redhat and Mandrake

Redhat and Mandrake use the Redhat Package Manager (RPM) to install and maintain software. Programs are released as binary files in an rpm package.

To install:

1. Change to the SuperUser

   • su

2. Install the package

   • rpm -Uvh file-1.1-1.i386.rpm]
   • U: Upgrade. This will install the program if it isn't installed, and upgrade it if a lower version exists on the system
   • v: verbose. Spit out warnings and errors instead of being quiet (not needed)
   • h: hash. Display a series of #'s showing progress (not needed)

• Other options

  • i: Install. This will only work if you don't have a newer version of the program installed. You should always install new kernel RPMs this way to stop your old one being overwritten.

Debian

apt-get install packagename

SlackwareLinux?

installpkg packagename.tgz

CategoryBeginners