Ubuntu: Up and Running

Using apt-get

This is the fourth and most precise way of performing an action on a package. Like Aptitude, it runs from the command line, and there are four main types of commands you will issue with it.

You are mostly likely to use one of these commands when following advice you have been given to install or remove a particular program. This is because it’s much easier to provide you with a single line that you should type into the Terminal than to provide the step-by-step instructions needed to navigate through Synaptic or the Software Center, although most programs can also be installed through the latter two programs if you so choose.

Updating the package index

Before using apt-get, it’s usually a good idea to enter the following, which will update your computer with the latest version information on all the packages it knows about (as well as adding packages that have recently been released):

sudo apt-get update

As ever, the sudo command starts the line to temporarily acquire super user privileges. The first time you use it, you’ll have to enter your password, but you won’t be prompted again for your password for another 15 minutes.

Upgrading packages

Once you have the system updated with all the latest package information, you may wish to enter the following command, which upgrades any packages you have installed that have newer versions available:

sudo apt-get upgrade

If any packages have unresolved dependencies and you get any error messages, you can use the dist-upgrade command ...