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APT: Installing Software the Easy Way

APT is how you install software on Debian and Ubuntu. It's simple. It works. Learn it.

Here's the thing: You'll install software constantly. APT makes it easy.

What APT Actually Does​

APT manages software packages. It:

  • Installs software
  • Updates software
  • Removes software
  • Handles dependencies (software that other software needs)

That's it. But that's everything.

The Commands You'll Actually Use​

Update Package List​

sudo apt update

What it does: Refreshes the list of available packages. Like updating a catalog.

When to use: Before installing or upgrading. Always run this first.

My take: Run apt update before installing anything. It ensures you get the latest versions.

Install Packages​

sudo apt install package-name
sudo apt install package1 package2 package3  # Multiple
sudo apt install -y package-name            # Auto-confirm

Real examples:

sudo apt install nginx
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip
sudo apt install -y curl wget git

The -y flag: Auto-confirms. Useful in scripts. Saves typing.

My take: apt install is what you'll use most. Simple. Works.

Upgrade Packages​

sudo apt upgrade                  # Upgrade all
sudo apt upgrade package-name     # Upgrade specific

What it does: Upgrades installed packages to latest versions.

When to use: After apt update. Keeps your system updated.

My take: Run apt update && apt upgrade regularly. Keeps things current.

Remove Packages​

sudo apt remove package-name      # Remove (keeps config)
sudo apt remove --purge package-name  # Remove with config

The difference: remove keeps configuration files. --purge removes everything.

My take: Use remove normally. Use --purge when you want to completely remove something.

Search Packages​

apt search keyword
apt search "web server"

What it does: Searches for packages.

Real example:

$ apt search nginx
nginx/bionic 1.14.0-0ubuntu1.7 amd64
  small, powerful, scalable web/proxy server

My take: Use this when you don't know the exact package name.

Show Package Info​

apt show package-name

What it does: Shows information about a package.

Real example:

$ apt show nginx
Package: nginx
Version: 1.14.0
Description: small, powerful, scalable web/proxy server
...

My take: Use this before installing. See what you're getting.

List Installed Packages​

apt list --installed
apt list --installed | grep nginx

What it does: Shows installed packages.

My take: Useful for seeing what's installed. Or checking if something is installed.

Clean Up​

sudo apt autoremove               # Remove unused packages
sudo apt autoclean                # Clean package cache

What they do: autoremove removes packages that were installed as dependencies but aren't needed anymore. autoclean cleans the package cache.

My take: Run these occasionally. Frees up space.

The Workflow​

Installing software:

sudo apt update                   # Refresh list
sudo apt install package-name     # Install

Updating system:

sudo apt update                   # Refresh list
sudo apt upgrade                  # Upgrade everything

Removing software:

sudo apt remove package-name      # Remove
sudo apt autoremove               # Clean up

That's the workflow. Simple.

Common Packages You'll Install​

sudo apt install nginx            # Web server
sudo apt install mysql-server    # Database
sudo apt install docker.io       # Docker
sudo apt install git             # Version control
sudo apt install curl wget       # Download tools
sudo apt install vim nano        # Text editors
sudo apt install htop            # Process monitor

These are the packages you'll actually install. Web servers. Databases. Tools.

Troubleshooting​

Package Not Found​

sudo apt update                   # Refresh list first

My take: If package not found, run apt update. The list might be stale.

Broken Dependencies​

sudo apt --fix-broken install

What it does: Fixes broken dependencies.

My take: If installation fails, try this. It fixes dependency issues.

Locked Package Manager​

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/lock
sudo rm /var/cache/apt/archives/lock

What it does: Removes locks if package manager is stuck.

My take: If apt is locked, remove the locks. Then try again.

The Truth About APT​

APT is simple. It works. It handles dependencies automatically.

But here's the thing: Sometimes it's slow. Sometimes packages conflict. Sometimes things break.

My take: APT is reliable. But things break. That's Linux. Fix it and move on.

What's Next?​

Now that you can install software, you're set. Or learn about System Services to manage what runs automatically.

Personal note: When I started, I'd install packages without apt update first. Then I'd wonder why packages weren't found. Now I always run apt update first. It's a habit. A good habit.