Member Avatar for epsos

well hello all been about half a year since i was last on here and it has changed alot for the good definatly :D ....

anyway my question.....

on linux operating systems it is not like xp where you jus run the .exe and install it

so how the hell do you install files on could someone give me a real newbie walk through and is it generally the same on most distro's cus i have installed suse 9.1 (iknow got to get a later version) and slackware 10.0 (sumit like that) anyway how do i install files cause im buying a external hardrive soon and i want to get the most out of linux with programs

can any one help me on a walk through guide on installing programs

im glad to be back lol

Epsos

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Stefano Mtangoo

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Generated

Brief, practical guide (grounded in the thread above)

As discovered, Linux installation is not one single action like "double‑click an .exe". As and noted, most distributions manage software through their own package systems and repositories; that is the preferred, safe way to install and keep programs up to date. The common misconception about copying things into "/etc/bin" should be corrected: /etc is for configuration files, while system executables belong under /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin. Manual copying bypasses the distro's package database and usually causes more problems than it solves.

Simple, distro‑agnostic workflow (terminal)

# identify distro (example)
cat /etc/os-release

# typical package flow (use the distro's tool name in place of <pkg-manager>)
sudo <pkg-manager> update
sudo <pkg-manager> search packagename
sudo <pkg-manager> install packagename

# if only source is available (tarball)
tar xzf program-version.tar.gz
cd program-version
./configure --prefix=/usr/local
make
sudo make install

Notes and troubleshooting

  • Prefer repository packages: they handle dependencies and safe upgrades.
  • When building from source, read INSTALL/README. Missing libraries are solved by installing the corresponding development packages from the distro.
  • Avoid repeated use of sudo make install on a production system; consider building a proper package or using a packaging helper so the package manager can remove or upgrade cleanly.
  • For learning and experimentation, use a virtual machine or a Live USB to avoid breaking the main system.

Further learning
Begin with one distro and its package tools until comfortable; Slackware and SUSE are fine but have different philosophies. Recommended beginner reads: The Linux Command Line (William Shotts), How Linux Works (Brian Ward), and the UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook (Nemeth et al.). The posts from , , and remain useful starting points — focus first on the package manager for the chosen distro, then learn source builds and packaging.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for frrossk

Read and here , it's a good start. Anyway, the web is full of info on this topic; try google.

Member Avatar for epsos

what things would you type in on google tho i have tried loads like how to install programs on linux etc but never found anything

Member Avatar for epsos

sorry to repost but i have been on those links and i dont see where it tells me how to install things lol

Member Avatar for frrossk

Ok; try , it's a little more detailed.

Member Avatar for epsos

okay thankyou frrossk but yet again i am confused lol erm how do you install it through command line

im sorry for being so blatently stupid but i have never used linux properly all i got told was u copy the file into the etc/bin directory }(what file lol) so if you get me im very very confused

thankyou

Epsos

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

If you are using RedHat, the basic packages (think setup images, setup.exe) is the RPM file, or RedHat Package Manager.

To install something, you would in the simplest case, type in:

rpm -i my.redhat.package.name.with.numbers.rpm

and it will install the file, or notify you with a list of dependancies, or things that you have to install first.

You might also need to do a rpm --update package.name.rpm if you have the package already installed, but want the new version.

Linux uses a lot shared libraries within the OS, and they come from all over the place, so it is not as simple as installing a Windows application, where all the dll files are "shipped along for the ride".

If you have YUM working, the installation is a lot easier:

yum install package-name

and it will go out on the internet, grab all the dependancies, and install the new package for you. But you need to configure YUM to do that.

You will need to patiently walk though the documentation, and will need to learn the style, and also learn to THINK instead of asking for the standard instructions. There is a pattern to it; I am not sure how to explain it.

Finally, if the source code is available, you can compile and install your own programs.

Perhaps the best thing to do here is for you to tell us what you are trying to install. Give us your type of Linux (GenToo, RedHat, Fedora, FreeBSD) and the name of the thing you want. We can walk you through an example to get you on the way.

Christian

Member Avatar for epsos

christian thankyou so much lol i know i have been repeating my self at the moment i am not using a linux distro i am trying to use a good distro but this was a kind ov question whihc i didnt realise each distro didnt install the same if you get me so i would kindov of know how to become erm "a master at linux" lol sounds silly but i want to learn it for any distro

maybe someone could advice me on some books to get as i have alot of spare time now i have left school before i start collage lol to get me going lol

thankyou

anyways

Epsos

Member Avatar for 'jk

hmm... I've had an eee pc serious (4g) for one year now and I've tried and tried to open exe. and more files but they always say "open with" and since i got this pc I've never been able to open a file that i downloaded yet.I'm not an expert but i think most files are made for windows as windows is very common so windows files ARE NOT compatible with linux os.
This is just a guess :)

Member Avatar for Stefano Mtangoo

sudo apt-get install epsos

and ubuntu gets you installed ;)

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