Although Ubuntu uses deb packages, it has a variety of tools to manage packages. Since 10.04, aptitude was removed leaving apt-get - which is OK but removes task based package selection.
Package managers must be run with elevated priviledges:
sudo apt-get check
This example checks for any problems in currently installed programs.
There are several advantages to packages:
The most common use for apt is to install new software:
sudo apt-get install packagename
Any required dependencies are resolved and you are asked if you wish to proceed. You will also be told if any problems might arise.
To remove a package:
sudo apt-get remove packagename
If you wish to remove a package and all its dependancies:
sudo apt-get autoremove packagename
Lastly if you want to remove any configuration files then:
sudo apt-get --purge autoremove packagename
Install tasksel:
sudo apt-get install tasksel
Then you can install by task - i.e. to install a LAMP stack
sudo tasksel install lamp-server
Running tasksel on its own uses a curses interface showing available tasks.
You can update your source lists (what software is available) b:
sudo apt-get update
Available upgradescan be shown by typing:
sudo apt-get upgrade
Or upgrade the entire distribution using
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
To free up disk space by running
sudo apt-get autoclean
This removes deb packages for uninstalled applications, you can remove them for installed packages using:
sudo apt-get clean
Lastly, you can reconfigure an installed package by running:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure packagename
You can increase the download speed when using apt in Ubuntu 7.10 by finding the fastest available source. First click on System>Administration>Software Sources. From 10.10, this option is hidden and requires that you open System>Preferences>Main Menu then tick “Software Sources”
Choose Other from the Download From list box then click on the Select Best Server button.