Where do Linux apps get installed, and how can I find them?
Asked by
CuriousCat123
I'm curious about where Linux actually installs applications when I use the software manager. Which hard drive does it go to? If I wanted to dive into these files and see where everything is kept, how can I do that?
Answers
Typically, installed apps end up in directories like /bin or /usr/bin. Your package manager can also give you an exact list of the files it installs.
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Most apps you install will go to the drive where Linux is installed, mainly in the root partition you set up. So, if your Linux is installed on a specific drive, just search for the app there. For instance, if you installed Discord, you would search for 'Discord' on that drive and find its main folder.
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Honestly, it feels like magic to me! I just trust that it goes where it needs to go.
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To find out where your apps are installed, you can ask your package manager for the file paths. For example, if you're looking for files from the 'curl' package, each package manager has its own command. APT-based distros use `dpkg -L curl`, while RPM-based distros can use `rpm -ql curl`. If you're on Arch, just run `pacman -Ql curl`.
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Placement of files can depend on the package format. Standard Unix files go to specific directories like /usr/bin for executables and /etc for configuration files. If you're using Flatpaks, those usually go to /var or ~/.local/var, while Snap packages are found in /snap. It's helpful to understand the Unix Filesystem Hierarchy Standard for keeping track of everything.
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