How to Install Packages on Debian-Based Systems

Installing Packages on Debian-Based Systems


All these software archives, CDs, and so on are meaningless if you can't install the software. So: you need to know how to install packages on Debian.


Use apt-get install:


# apt-get install tuxkart




To reinstall a package, overwriting the files, use:




# apt-get install —reinstall tuxkart




To install several packages at once, use a space-delimited list:


# apt-get install tuxkart gltron frozen-bubble


tuxracer nethack galaga




To download only, without installing or unpacking, use:


# apt-get -d install tuxkart




Append —dry-run to test the command before executing it:


# apt-get install tuxkart gltron frozen-bubble tuxracer nethack galaga —dry-run