I recently set up a dual boot system with Ubuntu and Windows, and now that everything's working smoothly, I'm looking to start installing applications on my Ubuntu setup. I've heard mixed things about the Software Center, specifically regarding Snap, and I'm somewhat hesitant to rely on that. I want to understand how to use APT properly since I've read about commands like 'apt update' and 'apt upgrade', but I'm still a bit confused. Can someone explain the best practices for installing applications? Also, how do I find the official names of software packages? I'm especially interested in coding tools like Postman, Docker, DataGrip, Node.js, and Git, but I'm not looking for every app to be up-to-date, just enough to get started.
4 Answers
To install software on Ubuntu, you can definitely use the terminal or the Software Center. If you want to use APT, start with `apt search ` to find package names. For example, to install Visual Studio Code, the command would look like `sudo apt install code`. And yes, `apt update` refreshes the package lists, while `apt upgrade` updates the installed packages. Stick with APT for most installations unless you have a special reason to use Snap.
For apps like Postman and Docker, you might find `.deb` files on their official sites—that's totally fine! You can install those directly using `dpkg` or through APT if available. Just make sure you're downloading from official sources to avoid issues.
If you need a specific package and don’t know the name, using `apt search` is great! It will list potential matches; just be aware it can return a lot of results! For coding tools like Docker or Git, look for official installation guides online, or official repositories on GitHub - they typically explain how to install using APT.
Check out the installation tips on some Linux wikis or forums—those can provide a wealth of information on app installations. Also, I recommend using a wired connection when installing, as it can be more stable and faster. And remember, don’t forget to remove your boot media after installation!
I just tried `apt search` and it showed so many results! Is there a way to narrow it down or is it just trial and error?