Installing Software

Learn how to install software packages using the apt package manager.

Introduction

The apt package manager makes it easy to install, update, and manage software on Raspberry Pi OS. This lesson will teach you how to install software packages using apt.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the purpose of a package manager.
• Use apt to update your package list and install software.
• Search for packages and resolve dependencies.

What is a Package Manager?

A package manager like apt simplifies the process of installing and managing software.

Understanding the APT Package Manager

The Advanced Package Tool (APT) is a powerful package management system used by Debian-based Linux distributions, including Ubuntu and Raspberry Pi OS.

It simplifies the process of managing software on your system by automating tasks like installation, upgrading, and removal of software packages.

Updating the Package List

Before installing software, it’s a good idea to update the package list. This ensures you have the latest information about available software packages. The Package List is a database of all available software packages.

    sudo apt update

This command fetches the latest package information from the repositories. It’s a good practice to run this command before installing new software.

About Repositories

Repositories are servers that store software packages. When you install software using apt, it downloads the package from a repository. The Raspberry Pi OS comes with a set of default repositories that contain a wide range of software packages.

You can also add additional repositories to access more software.

Installing Software

To install a package, use the apt install command. For example, to install the git version control system, type:

    sudo apt install git

apt will automatically download and install the package along with any dependencies.

Searching for Packages

If you’re unsure of the exact package name, you can search the repositories using:

    apt search <package-name>

Updating Installed Software

To update all installed packages to the latest versions, use:

    sudo apt upgrade

This command will download and install the latest versions of all installed packages. It will ask you if you want to proceed before making any changes; you can confirm by typing Y and pressing Enter. To automate this process, you can use the -y flag:

    sudo apt upgrade -y

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to install software using the apt package manager. This is a crucial skill for setting up and managing software on your Raspberry Pi.

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