How to install programs on Debian Linux

Debian is the foundation of Ubuntu, Knoppix MEPIS, Kanotix and Aptosid. If your distribution does not contain the program you need, you can install it via the Internet (broadband or dial-up). This can be done using the graphical interface or the command line.

Steps

Remember, on Linux, software comes in packages that can be downloaded from the repository. The software installation utilities are called package managers, which automatically detect dependencies on other software libraries.

Method 1 of 4: Command Line

Step 1. Open a terminal

Step 2. Enter the superuser password (in Ubuntu, enter the sudo command, in MEPIS or Aptosid, enter the su command).

3 Enter apt-get update to update the package lists

Step 4. To search for the package, enter apt-cache search and a keyword such as spreadsheet

Step 5. Enter apt-get install "program name"

Step 6. For example, to install the Dillo web browser, you would type apt-get install dillo

Step 7. Press Y to confirm

Step 8. Done

Method 2 of 4: The graphical interface

Step 1. Install KPackage

Step 2. Install Klik

Step 3. Install Autopackage

Step 4. Install Bitnami

Step 5. Install Click N Run

Method 3 of 4: Synaptic

Step 1. Click "Synaptic"

Step 2. Enter the superuser password

Step 3. Click “Reload” to refresh the package list

Step 4. In the search box, enter the name of the program you need

Step 5. Mark the required package and click "Mark for installation"

Step 6. Click “Apply”

Step 7. Done

Method 4 of 4: Adept

Adept is even simpler than Synaptic.

Warnings

• If you have a dial-up Internet, check its size before downloading the package. For example, OpenOffice.org is a fairly large program.
• Klik and possibly Bitnami need to be installed in the / home directory rather than the default / opt directory.