Tubagus Maulana Aghni

Software Installation in Ubuntu (APT, Snap, Flatpak)

Overview

Ubuntu offers multiple package management systems for installing software. Each has its own advantages and use cases. This guide covers APT, Snap, Flatpak, and other installation methods comprehensively.

Package Management Systems Comparison

graph TD
    A[Ubuntu Software Installation] --> B[APT]
    A --> C[Snap]
    A --> D[Flatpak]
    A --> E[AppImage]
    A --> F[DEB Packages]
    A --> G[Source Code]
    
    B --> B1[System Packages]
    B --> B2[PPAs]
    B --> B3[.deb files]
    
    C --> C1[Universal Packages]
    C --> C2[Sandboxed Apps]
    C --> C3[Auto Updates]
    
    D --> D1[Cross-distro]
    D --> D2[Sandboxed]
    D --> D3[Runtime Libraries]
    
    E --> E1[Portable Apps]
    E --> E2[No Installation]
    E --> E3[Self-contained]

Feature	APT	Snap	Flatpak	AppImage
Security	System-level	Sandboxed	Sandboxed	Varies
Updates	Manual/Automatic	Automatic	Manual	Manual
Size	Small	Large	Medium	Large
Performance	Fast	Slower startup	Medium	Fast
Permissions	Full system	Confined	Confined	Varies

APT Package Manager

Understanding APT

APT (Advanced Package Tool) is the default package manager for Ubuntu, handling .deb packages and system libraries.

Basic APT Commands

# Update package lists
sudo apt update

# Upgrade installed packages
sudo apt upgrade

# Full system upgrade
sudo apt full-upgrade

# Install package
sudo apt install package-name

# Install multiple packages
sudo apt install package1 package2 package3

# Remove package
sudo apt remove package-name

# Remove package and configuration files
sudo apt purge package-name

# Remove orphaned packages
sudo apt autoremove

# Clean package cache
sudo apt autoclean
sudo apt clean

Search and Information

# Search for packages
apt search keyword

# Show package information
apt show package-name

# List installed packages
apt list --installed

# List upgradable packages
apt list --upgradable

# Check if package is installed
dpkg -l | grep package-name

# Show package dependencies
apt depends package-name

# Show reverse dependencies
apt rdepends package-name

Repository Management

# List repositories
grep -rhE ^deb /etc/apt/sources.list*

# Add repository key
wget -qO - https://example.com/key.gpg | sudo apt-key add -

# Add repository (modern method)
curl -fsSL https://example.com/key.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/example.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/example.gpg] https://example.com/repo stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/example.list

# Update after adding repository
sudo apt update

Installing Software with APT

Development Tools

# Build essentials
sudo apt install build-essential

# Programming languages
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip
sudo apt install nodejs npm
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk
sudo apt install golang-go
sudo apt install rust-all

# Version control
sudo apt install git subversion

# Text editors
sudo apt install vim neovim emacs
sudo apt install code  # May need Microsoft repository

Media and Graphics

# Media players
sudo apt install vlc audacious rhythmbox

# Graphics editors
sudo apt install gimp inkscape blender

# Image viewers
sudo apt install eog gwenview

# Video editing
sudo apt install kdenlive openshot

System Tools

# File managers
sudo apt install nautilus dolphin thunar

# Archive tools
sudo apt install p7zip-full unrar

# System monitoring
sudo apt install htop btop neofetch

# Network tools
sudo apt install curl wget nmap

Snap Package Manager

What are Snap Packages?

Snap packages are containerized software packages that work across Linux distributions. They include all dependencies and run in sandboxed environments.

Basic Snap Commands

# List installed snaps
snap list

# Search for snaps
snap find keyword

# Install snap
sudo snap install package-name

# Install from specific channel
sudo snap install package-name --channel=stable
sudo snap install package-name --beta
sudo snap install package-name --edge

# Update all snaps
sudo snap refresh

# Update specific snap
sudo snap refresh package-name

# Remove snap
sudo snap remove package-name

# Show snap information
snap info package-name

Snap Channels

# Channels explained:
# stable   - Production-ready releases
# candidate - Release candidates
# beta     - Beta releases
# edge     - Development builds

# Install from specific channel
sudo snap install code --classic --channel=stable
sudo snap install discord --beta

Popular Snap Applications

# Development
sudo snap install code --classic
sudo snap install intellij-idea-ultimate --classic
sudo snap install atom --classic
sudo snap install sublime-text --classic

# Media
sudo snap install vlc
sudo snap install spotify
sudo snap install discord

# Productivity
sudo snap install firefox
sudo snap install chromium
sudo snap install slack --classic
sudo snap install teams

# Graphics
sudo snap install gimp
sudo snap install inkscape
sudo snap install blender --classic

Snap Configuration

# View snap connections
snap connections package-name

# Connect interface
sudo snap connect package-name:interface

# Disconnect interface
sudo snap disconnect package-name:interface

# View snap services
snap services

# Start/stop snap service
sudo snap start package-name.service
sudo snap stop package-name.service

Flatpak Package Manager

Installing Flatpak

# Install Flatpak
sudo apt install flatpak

# Add Flathub repository
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

# Install GNOME Software Flatpak plugin
sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak

# Restart system (recommended)
sudo reboot

Basic Flatpak Commands

# Search for applications
flatpak search keyword

# Install application
flatpak install flathub application-id

# List installed applications
flatpak list

# Update all applications
flatpak update

# Update specific application
flatpak update application-id

# Remove application
flatpak uninstall application-id

# Show application information
flatpak info application-id

# Run application
flatpak run application-id

Popular Flatpak Applications

# Browsers
flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.firefox
flatpak install flathub com.google.Chrome

# Development
flatpak install flathub com.visualstudio.code
flatpak install flathub org.gnome.Builder

# Media
flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC
flatpak install flathub com.spotify.Client

# Graphics
flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
flatpak install flathub org.inkscape.Inkscape

# Office
flatpak install flathub org.libreoffice.LibreOffice
flatpak install flathub com.github.johnfactotum.Foliate

Flatpak Management

# List remotes
flatpak remotes

# Add remote repository
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists remotename https://repo-url

# Remove remote repository
flatpak remote-delete remotename

# Clean up unused runtimes
flatpak uninstall --unused

# Show repository information
flatpak remote-info flathub application-id

AppImage Applications

What are AppImages?

AppImages are portable application packages that don’t require installation. They contain the application and all its dependencies.

Using AppImages

# Download AppImage
wget https://example.com/app.AppImage

# Make executable
chmod +x app.AppImage

# Run application
./app.AppImage

# Integrate with system (optional)
./app.AppImage --appimage-integrate

# Remove integration
./app.AppImage --appimage-remove

AppImage Management Tools

# AppImageLauncher (GUI manager)
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:appimagelauncher-team/stable
sudo apt update
sudo apt install appimagelauncher

# AppImagePool (store-like interface)
flatpak install flathub io.github.prateekmedia.appimagepool

Software Centers and GUI Tools

Ubuntu Software Center

# Launch Ubuntu Software
gnome-software

# Or from command line
ubuntu-software

# Features:
# - Browse categories
# - Install/remove packages
# - Automatic updates
# - Reviews and ratings

Synaptic Package Manager

# Install Synaptic
sudo apt install synaptic

# Launch
sudo synaptic

# Features:
# - Advanced package management
# - Repository management
# - Package information
# - Dependency resolution

AppCenter (elementary OS style)

# Install AppCenter
sudo apt install appcenter

# Alternative: GNOME Software
sudo apt install gnome-software

Installing from Source Code

Prerequisites

# Install build tools
sudo apt install build-essential
sudo apt install cmake
sudo apt install autotools-dev
sudo apt install pkg-config

# Install common dependencies
sudo apt install libssl-dev
sudo apt install libcurl4-openssl-dev
sudo apt install zlib1g-dev

Typical Source Installation

# Download source code
wget https://example.com/source.tar.gz
tar -xzf source.tar.gz
cd source-directory

# Configure build
./configure --prefix=/usr/local

# Or with CMake
mkdir build && cd build
cmake ..

# Compile
make -j$(nproc)

# Install
sudo make install

# Or using checkinstall (creates .deb package)
sudo apt install checkinstall
sudo checkinstall

Python Packages

# Using pip
pip3 install package-name

# User installation (recommended)
pip3 install --user package-name

# Virtual environment (best practice)
python3 -m venv myenv
source myenv/bin/activate
pip install package-name

Node.js Packages

# Global installation
sudo npm install -g package-name

# Local installation
npm install package-name

# Using Yarn
npm install -g yarn
yarn global add package-name

Adding PPAs (Personal Package Archives)

Understanding PPAs

PPAs are user-contributed repositories that provide newer or additional software not available in official Ubuntu repositories.

Managing PPAs

# Add PPA
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:user/ppa-name
sudo apt update

# Remove PPA
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:user/ppa-name
sudo apt update

# List PPAs
grep -rhE ^deb.*ppa /etc/apt/sources.list*

# Purge PPA packages
sudo ppa-purge ppa:user/ppa-name

Popular PPAs

# Graphics drivers
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa

# LibreOffice
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa

# Git (latest version)
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:git-core/ppa

# OBS Studio
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:obsproject/obs-studio

# Wine
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:wine/wine-builds

Package Installation Strategies

Choosing the Right Package Format

graph TD
    A[Need Software?] --> B{Type of Software?}
    
    B -->|System Tool| C[Use APT]
    B -->|Desktop App| D{Security Important?}
    B -->|Development Tool| E{Need Latest Version?}
    
    D -->|Yes| F[Use Flatpak/Snap]
    D -->|No| G[Use APT/PPA]
    
    E -->|Yes| H[Use Snap/Source]
    E -->|No| C
    
    C --> I[sudo apt install]
    F --> J[flatpak install]
    G --> K[Add PPA + APT]
    H --> L[Compile from source]

Installation Priority

1. APT (Official repositories) - First choice for system packages
2. Snap/Flatpak - For desktop applications requiring sandboxing
3. PPA - For newer versions of existing packages
4. AppImage - For portable applications
5. Source compilation - Last resort or specific requirements

Troubleshooting Installation Issues

Common APT Issues

# Problem: Broken packages
sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo dpkg --configure -a

# Problem: Lock file exists
sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/lock
sudo rm /var/cache/apt/archives/lock
sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock*

# Problem: GPG key errors
sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys KEY-ID

# Problem: Repository not found
sudo apt update 2>&1 | grep -E "Failed to fetch|404"
# Remove problematic repositories from /etc/apt/sources.list.d/

Snap Issues

# Problem: Snap not connecting
sudo snap connect app-name:interface-name

# Problem: Snap not starting
snap logs app-name

# Problem: Permission issues
sudo snap refresh --devmode app-name

# Problem: Interface not available
snap interface interface-name

Flatpak Issues

# Problem: Runtime missing
flatpak install flathub org.freedesktop.Platform//22.08

# Problem: Permission issues
flatpak override --user --filesystem=home app-id

# Problem: Application won't start
flatpak run --verbose app-id

Automation and Scripting

Automated Installation Script

#!/bin/bash
# install-essentials.sh

set -e

echo "Updating system..."
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

echo "Installing essential packages..."
sudo apt install -y \
    curl \
    wget \
    git \
    vim \
    htop \
    tree \
    unzip \
    software-properties-common \
    apt-transport-https \
    ca-certificates \
    gnupg \
    lsb-release

echo "Installing development tools..."
sudo apt install -y \
    build-essential \
    python3-pip \
    nodejs \
    npm

echo "Installing media codecs..."
sudo apt install -y ubuntu-restricted-extras

echo "Installing Flatpak..."
sudo apt install -y flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

echo "Installing Snap applications..."
sudo snap install code --classic
sudo snap install discord
sudo snap install vlc

echo "Installation complete!"

Package List Management

# Export installed packages
dpkg --get-selections > installed-packages.txt
snap list > installed-snaps.txt
flatpak list > installed-flatpaks.txt

# Install from package list
sudo dpkg --set-selections < installed-packages.txt
sudo apt dselect-upgrade

Security Considerations

Package Verification

# Verify package signatures
apt-key list

# Check package integrity
debsums package-name

# Verify Snap publisher
snap info package-name | grep publisher

Safe Installation Practices

1. Use official repositories first
2. Verify PPA sources before adding
3. Check application permissions for Snaps/Flatpaks
4. Keep system updated regularly
5. Remove unused packages periodically

Repository Trust

# Check repository signatures
apt-key fingerprint

# Add trusted keys properly
curl -fsSL https://example.com/key.gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/example.gpg

# Avoid apt-key add (deprecated)
# Use gpg --dearmor instead

Performance Optimization

Package Cache Management

# Check cache size
du -sh /var/cache/apt/archives/

# Clean cache
sudo apt autoclean  # Remove old package files
sudo apt clean     # Remove all package files

# Configure cache limit
echo 'APT::Cache-Limit "100000000";' | sudo tee /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/70cache-limit

Parallel Downloads

# Enable parallel downloads for APT
echo 'APT::Acquire::Max-Workers "4";' | sudo tee /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/99parallel

# Configure fastest mirror
sudo apt install apt-fast

Best Practices

Regular Maintenance

# Weekly maintenance script
#!/bin/bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt autoremove -y
sudo apt autoclean
sudo snap refresh
flatpak update -y

Package Selection Guidelines

1. System integration: Use APT for system-level software
2. Security: Use Flatpak/Snap for untrusted applications
3. Portability: Use AppImage for portable tools
4. Development: Use language-specific package managers when appropriate

Next Steps

After mastering software installation:

1. Learn system update management
2. Configure user permissions
3. Set up development environment
4. Explore system monitoring

Summary

Ubuntu’s multiple package management systems provide flexibility for different use cases:

Use Case	Recommended Method	Example
System tools	APT	sudo apt install htop
Desktop apps	Snap/Flatpak	snap install discord
Development	Language managers	npm install -g package
Portable tools	AppImage	Download and run
Latest versions	PPA + APT	Add PPA, then APT install

Understanding these different approaches allows you to choose the best installation method for each situation while maintaining system security and performance.