How to Install .DEB Files on Ubuntu

Flatpak is a modern solution for handling applications on Linux. Unlike standard software managers, it installs programs in a sandboxed environment, ensuring greater security and reliability. Each program operates independently, reducing the risk of system corruption and conflicts. This separation assures that issues in one program don't affect others. Additionally, it offers consistent environments across Linux distributions, allowing developers to distribute apps without system dependency worries. This compatibility provides a reliable experience, making it versatile for any user. Overview Flatpak revolutionizes Linux application management by providing a unified and secure method to install and run applications. It encapsulates apps in a sandbox, isolating them from the core system to prevent conflicts and ensure stability. It offers several benefits: Security: Sandboxing isolates applications, reducing the risk of security vulnerabilities. Compatibility: Works across various Linux distributions, providing a consistent environment. Independence: Applications operate independently, preventing system corruption. Developer-Friendly: Simplifies app distribution without worrying about system dependencies. Installation Guide for Ubuntu 22.04 This guide covers Flatpak framework installation on Ubuntu 22.04, preparing your distribution to manage apps easily. Follow these instructions to master installation and manage apps efficiently. Prerequisites Before starting, you must have: Ubuntu 22.04 Terminal access with sudo privileges. Method 1: Via apt Installing this framework via terminal and configuring its repository is straightforward and efficient. This method uses the apt package manager, common in Ubuntu and Debian. By following these instructions, the framework can be set up and ready to use in no time. Update the packages list with: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y Install Flatpak with this command: sudo apt install flatpak -y To unlock a wide selection of utilities, include the Flathub repo using: sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo Reboot your machine to apply changes: sudo reboot After rebooting, check the installed utility by applying: flatpak --version If installed, the release number will display. To install an app, employ the following command with the app name. For example, to get Wireshark, apply: sudo flatpak install flathub org.wireshark.Wireshark -y To launch the app, enter the command below with the app ID. For example, to launch Wireshark, enter: flatpak run org.wireshark.Wireshark Method 2: Via Team APT PPA This approach includes adding the Flatpak Team APT PPA repo for installation. Making use of a PPA (Personal Package Archive) allows access to the latest release provided by the developers. It's useful for up-to-date features or patches not available in the standard repository list. Here are the steps: First, include the Team PPA via: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:flatpak/stable Refresh your source list again to incorporate the new PPA repo: sudo apt update Perform the framework installation using: sudo apt install flatpak -y Post-installation, include the FlatHub repository via: sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo Additional Configuration To enhance your experience, configure additional settings or install other useful applications. For that, follow the below instructions. Installing Plugins  Plugins improve the functionality and integration of Flatpak apps with your desktop. Install them with: sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak -y NOTE: This allows you to browse and set up Flatpak utilities directly from the GNOME Software program. From Ubuntu versions 20.04 to 23.04, GNOME Software is included as a Snap package, which doesn't support Flatpak. In version 23.10, it changes to the App Center, which also doesn't support the framework. To fix this, you'll need to install a plugin that adds another version of GNOME Software. As a result, you'll have two "Software" apps in versions 20.04 to 23.04 and one "Software" app in version 23.10. To solve the issue of integrating framework with Ubuntu's desktop, while avoiding the confusion of multiple "Software" applications, here's what to do: Remove the Snap version of GNOME to avoid having two "Software" apps: sudo apt remove gnome-software -y Get the plugin along with the deb version of GNOME: sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak -y Run the GNOME by applying: gnome-software Manage Permissions Flatpak apps run in a sandboxed environment with limited system access. These permissions are managed by utilizing Flatseal, which can be installed via: sudo flatpak install flathub com.github.tchx84.Flatseal Launch Flatseal from the applications menu to adjust permissions for Flatpak apps. Troubleshooting Common Errors In case of any error during the process, here are some common problems and their solutions. Issue 1: Command Not Found If you receive a 'command not found' error, verify the framework is correctly configured. Reinstall it if necessary. Issue 2: Repository Not Enabled Incase of failure, get an app from Flathub, verify the repository with: sudo flatpak remotes If FlatHub is not listed, add it through the repository enable command provided earlier. Issue 3: Application Fails to Launch If an app won't launch, try executing it from the terminal to check for error messages. Hit the aforementioned run command followed by the app ID. If the issue persists, employ this command to repair it: sudo flatpak repair Updating Flatpak  You must keep the app up-to-date to have the latest features and security updates. To update all Flatpak’s added utilities, utilize: sudo flatpak update Uninstalling Flatpak  To remove the framework from Ubuntu, do it via the following instructions. Before removing the main utility, uninstall any app by executing: sudo flatpak uninstall <application-id> -y Then remove the framework itself by applying: sudo apt remove flatpak -y Finally, remove the FlatHub repo via: sudo flatpak remote-delete flathub Integrating Flatpak with Desktop Integrating Flatpak apps with your desktop guarantees a smooth user experience. This section covers the integration process with your Ubuntu desktop. Make sure Flatpak utilities are integrated with your desktop by installing necessary plugins: sudo apt install gnome-software-plugin-flatpak Check if the apps appear in your application menu. If not, log out and back in to refresh the menu. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. Can Flatpak be used alongside other package managers? Yes, it can be utilized alongside traditional package managers like apt, yum, or dnf. The utility operates independently, allowing you to manage programs without interfering with system tools. 2. How do I list all Flatpak installed Tools? To list all Flatpak’s installed tools, execute: flatpak list 3. What is the benefit of using Flatpak over traditional package managers? It provides a consistent workspace across different Linux distributions, ensuring programs work as intended regardless of the underlying system. It also enhances security by running programs in a sandboxed environment. Conclusion You've successfully set up Flatpak on your Ubuntu distribution through multiple methods. Whether you utilized the terminal or the graphical user interface, you now have a powerful utility for managing tools in a secure interface. By integrating the application with your desktop environment and keeping it updated, you can further enhance your user experience and ensure optimal performance. With access to a vast library of utilities on Flathub, you can easily find, install, and run your favorite apps with confidence. This flexibility not only enhances your productivity but also allows you to explore a wide range of software that suits your needs.

Composer is a cross-platform tool for managing dependencies in projects written in PHP. With Composer, you can manage numerous libraries and frameworks, known as "packages." Installing the required packages allows you to extend the standard PHP functionality, speeding up and simplifying development. All installed packages become project dependencies. Thus, Composer can be considered a full-fledged dependency manager, similar to those used in many programming languages. Additionally, Composer has a comprehensive package repository called Packagist, where you can search for, download, and install the required packages. This guide provides detailed instructions on installing Composer on an Ubuntu server and using it for PHP projects. Prerequisites In this tutorial, we use: A VPS server running Ubuntu 22.04 PHP interpreter version 8.1.2 Composer dependency manager version 2.8.2 Installing Composer First, update the list of existing APT repositories: sudo apt update Next, install the packages required to download and use Composer: sudo apt install curl php-cli unzip -y These packages include: curl: A tool for making HTTP requests. php-cli: An interpreter to run PHP scripts. unzip: A utility to extract ZIP archives. The -y flag answers "yes" to all installation prompts. Composer installation is automated using a PHP script provided by its developers. Download the installation script from the official Composer website using an HTTP request: curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer -o composerInstall.php The -sS flag runs curl in silent mode, suppressing all output except for errors. The -o flag specifies the filename and the directory where the file will be placed. To ensure the file has been downloaded, check the contents of the current directory: ls You should see the following output in the terminal, including the installation script: composerInstall.php  resize.log  snap This guide covers the global installation of Composer, meaning it can be run from any directory without specifying the absolute path. To perform a global installation, execute the downloaded PHP script with additional parameters: php composerInstall.php --install-dir=/usr/local/bin --filename=composer The --install-dir flag specifies the directory where Composer will be installed. The --filename flag defines the name of the binary file accessible from the terminal. In this case, Composer is installed in the system's binary directory: /usr/local/bin. After running the script, you'll see the following output in the terminal: All settings correct for using Composer Downloading... Composer (version 2.8.2) successfully installed to: /usr/local/bin/composer Use it: php /usr/local/bin/composer Since the installation script is no longer needed, you can delete it: rm composerInstall.php To launch Composer for the first time, run: composer You may see the following message in the terminal: Do not run Composer as root/super user! See https://getcomposer.org/root for details Continue as root/super user [yes]? Composer warns against running it as the root user due to potential risks but allows you to proceed. For this guide, we will continue using Composer as-is by confirming with yes. Afterward, you will see a welcome message along with a list of available options and commands with brief descriptions. Composer is now fully installed. Configuring Composer The main file used to manage dependencies is composer.json, which describes the packages required for the proper functioning of a project. Composer follows the Infrastructure as Code (IaC) approach, describing the local project infrastructure through a configuration file rather than manual settings adjustments in a graphical interface. However, Composer allows configuration management not only by manually editing the file in a text editor but also through console commands, providing a more interactive way to handle configurations. Basic Commands Using Composer involves several fundamental commands that interact with the composer.json configuration file: init: Initializes a project. require: Adds a package. install: Installs dependencies. update: Updates packages. Although Composer offers many more commands, these are the most frequently used. Creating a Directory Create a separate directory for the PHP project: mkdir phptest Then navigate to the directory: cd phptest This directory will store both the project’s source code and the required dependency files. Searching for a Library Suppose we are working on a small project that performs various string transformations. As a dependency, we need a specific library that provides functions for manipulating string content. In this guide, we will implement a common programming function called slugify, which converts a sequence of words into a single long word containing only lowercase ASCII characters and hyphens. The slugify function is often used to transform arbitrary headings into URL-friendly formats without spaces. Rather than writing this function ourselves, we will use Composer to find a suitable library in the official package registry, add it as a dependency, and let Composer handle its download, installation, and integration into the project. To find the necessary library, follow these steps: Open the Composer's official package registry in a browser. Enter "slugify" in the search bar. Look for the most suitable package based on its parameters and description. The search results display key metrics for each available package: The number of installations via Composer (top right) The number of GitHub stars (bottom right) In general, popular packages tend to be more stable since they are used by a larger number of developers. Selecting a Package In this guide, we will use the package cocur/slugify. The package name, similar to a GitHub repository, contains the author (provider) and the library name separated by a forward slash (/). We can navigate to the package's page by clicking its name to see more details about the library’s implementation, such as dependency lists, descriptions with code examples, test coverage badges, license type, and more. Additionally, pay attention to the available package versions, as you need to specify the version during dependency installation. By following this process, you can search for and select suitable packages for a PHP project, which can later be used as dependencies to provide specific functions. Installing a Dependency To install the required package, use the require command. This either records the dependency in the composer.json configuration file or creates it if it does not exist: composer require cocur/slugify:4.6 In this guide, we are using cocur/slugify version 4.6.0. After running the command, you might encounter an error indicating missing system libraries: ./composer.json has been created Running composer update cocur/slugify Loading composer repositories with package information Updating dependencies Your requirements could not be resolved to an installable set of packages. Problem 1 - Root composer.json requires cocur/slugify 4.1 -> satisfiable by cocur/slugify[v4.1.0]. - cocur/slugify v4.1.0 requires ext-mbstring * -> it is missing from your system. Install or enable PHP's mbstring extension. This console output informs us that the ext-mbstring system library is missing, which is necessary for cocur/slugify to work correctly. You can manually search for the library using the APT package manager: sudo apt search mbstring The search results will show: Sorting... Done Full Text Search... Done php-mbstring/jammy 2:8.1+92ubuntu1 all MBSTRING module for PHP [default] php-patchwork-utf8/jammy 1.3.1-1 all UTF-8 strings handling for PHP php-symfony-polyfill-mbstring/jammy 1.24.0-1ubuntu2 all Symfony polyfill for the Mbstring extension php-symfony-polyfill-util/jammy 1.24.0-1ubuntu2 all Symfony utilities for portability of PHP codes php8.1-mbstring/jammy-updates,jammy-security 8.1.2-1ubuntu2.19 amd64 MBSTRING module for PHP The first result is the library we need. Install it with: sudo apt install php-mbstring -y Once the missing library is installed, rerun the command to install the package: composer require cocur/slugify:4.6 This time, the console output should confirm a successful installation: ./composer.json has been created Running composer update cocur/slugify Loading composer repositories with package information Updating dependencies Lock file operations: 1 install, 0 updates, 0 removals - Locking cocur/slugify (v4.6.0) Writing lock file Installing dependencies from lock file (including require-dev) Package operations: 1 install, 0 updates, 0 removals - Downloading cocur/slugify (v4.6.0) - Installing cocur/slugify (v4.6.0): Extracting archive Generating autoload files No security vulnerability advisories found. Check the directory contents with: ls You will see new files generated by Composer: composer.json  composer.lock  vendor Each file and directory serves a specific purpose: composer.json — Contains information about the required dependencies composer.lock — Records details about installed dependencies vendor — Stores the project’s installed dependencies If you use a version control system like Git, exclude the vendor directory from the repository. Take a look inside composer.json: cat composer.json It should look like this: { "require": { "cocur/slugify": "4.6" } } You’ll notice the require block specifying the package cocur/slugify version 4.6. You can find more detailed information about possible version values in the official Composer documentation. Using Composer Including Dependencies Once you have installed a dependency, you can include it in the project code using the automatically generated autoload.php script, located in the vendor directory. When this script is included in the PHP application, the functions and classes of the installed dependencies become available for use. Let's create the main file of our application: sudo nano main.php Then, fill it with the following content: <?php require __DIR__ . '/vendor/autoload.php'; use Cocur\Slugify\Slugify; $slugify = new Slugify(); // PHP_EOL is needed for line breaks in the console echo '[english]: ' . $slugify->slugify('How to deal with composer') . PHP_EOL; ?> Now, you can run the script: php main.php The output in the console terminal should look like this: [english]: how-to-use-composer Updating Dependencies Composer allows you to check for new versions of libraries based on version ranges defined in the composer.json configuration file: composer update Alternatively, you can update a specific package by specifying its name: composer update cocur/slugify Installing Dependencies If your PHP project contains a composer.json file, but the specified dependencies are not yet installed, you need to install them. Let’s first remove all existing packages and related information: rm -R vendor composer.lock The -R flag is necessary for recursive deletion of files and directories. After that, try running the script: php main.php You will see the expected error message in the console because the dependencies are missing: PHP Warning: require(/root/phptest/vendor/autoload.php): Failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /root/phptest/main.php on line 2 PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Failed opening required '/root/phptest/vendor/autoload.php' (include_path='.:/usr/share/php') in /root/phptest/main.php:2 Stack trace: #0 {main} thrown in /root/phptest/main.php on line 2 Now, let's reinstall the dependencies based on the data from the configuration file: composer install After that, run the script again: php main.php The console should display the expected result without any errors: [english]: how-to-install-and-use-composer Conclusion You can install Composer on Ubuntu 22.04 automatically using an installation script from the official Composer website. Although Composer has many commands to manage the composer.json configuration file, in practice, only a few basic ones are commonly used: composer init composer require composer install composer update You can find comprehensive information on how to use Composer in the official documentation.

Jupyter Notebook is a free and open tool that enables users to generate engaging files to script and run code, render mathematical expressions, show graphs, and add explanatory text. It's extensively applied in data science, machine learning, and academic research. Ubuntu 22.04 users can install Jupyter Notebook efficiently with minimal effort. In this write-up, we'll elaborate on stepwise instructions needed to install Jupyter on Ubuntu 22.04. System Requirements Before proceeding with the installation, you must fulfill the below-listed requirements: Ubuntu 22.04 must be properly set up and running. Jupyter relies on Python3, which is generally included in most Linux distributions. Verifying its presence by executing the python3 --version command in the terminal. pip serves as the package manager for Python and is necessary for installing Jupyter Notebook and other libraries. So, verify the pip’s installed version before proceeding. Key Advantages of Jupyter Jupyter (also known as IPython Notebook) provides numerous benefits, making it highly popular in data science, machine learning, and coding education: It enables real-time coding and execution, simplifying debugging and testing. Although primarily designed for Python, it also supports other languages such as R and Julia. We can incorporate notes, formulas, and visualizations (like charts and graphs) alongside our code, making it easy to explain our work.  It integrates code, comments, and outputs in one document, so it's easy to share and collaborate with others.  You can even add extra features and widgets to make your work more interactive. Moreover, it helps us keep a clear record of our steps, making it simple for others to follow or reproduce our work. Overall, its versatility and intuitive attributes make it an excellent application for anyone looking to boost their coding, learning, and collaboration experience. Installing Jupyter on Ubuntu 22.04 Setting up Jupyter Notebook on Ubuntu 22.04 requires a few simple steps to get it running: Upgrade Your System Before adding any new programs, it's advisable to refresh repositories: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y This command refreshes all the installed packages to their latest available versions, with the -y flag automatically confirming the action: Python3 and Pip Installation If Python3 and pip are not set up in your system yet, you can install them by employing the below-given commands: sudo apt install python3 -y #Install Python3sudo apt install python3-pip -y #Install pip for Python3 To demonstrate that pip is set up properly, check its version using the given command: pip3 --version The resultant screenshot indicates that pip 22.0.2 is appropriately installed on the system: Preparing a Virtual Environment Once Python3 is installed, you can set up a virtual environment. First, let’s install venv module for Python that enables us to create virtual environments: sudo apt install python3.10-venv After this, create a new directory named hostman by employing the command: mkdir hostman Let’s navigate to the newly created project directory by running the cd command: cd hostman Now we can create a virtual environment where Jupyter Notebook can be installed: python3.10 -m venv jupyterNotebook-venv Once the environment is established, enable it by running: source jupyterNotebook-venv/bin/activate Installing Jupyter/IPython Once Python and pip are appropriately installed, we can proceed with the Jupyter installation. Before moving ahead, we need to update pip3 to the most recent version: pip install --upgrade pip Next, execute the given command to install Jupyter alongside its associated dependencies: pip3 install jupyter The image demonstrates that Jupyter Notebook is properly installed alongside all essential components: Confirm Jupyter Installation Status To check the installation status of Jupyter on your Ubuntu system, confirm its version: jupyter --version It retrieves the installed Jupyter version alongside other corresponding components, including JupyterLab and Jupyter_Server, if available: How Jupyter Works Once the setup is finished, run the Jupyter Notebook utilizing the command: jupyter notebook This will kick off the Jupyter server and provide a response that resembles the following: To access Jupyter, copy the above-highlighted URL and paste it into your computer browser: Notebook Setup Browse the New panel available on the dashboard, expand the dropdown menu, and select Python3 (ipykernel): Script Execution Once your Jupyter notebook is good to use, specify your code, and press Shift + Enter to execute the script: print("Welcome to Hostman!") Installing Jupyter through Anaconda Anaconda offers a simple and efficient method to install the Jupyter Notebook. If Anaconda is preinstalled on our machine, we can proceed with the Jupyter’s installation/setup by typing the given command: conda install jupyter It automatically downloads and installs Jupyter alongside necessary dependencies, making sure it’s good to use without requiring an additional setup process. Installing JupyterLab on Ubuntu JupyterLab presents a dynamic and adaptable platform for handling notebooks, writing code, and analyzing data. It functions as an advanced variant of the Jupyter Notebook, offering a more customizable and feature-rich experience. JupyterLab efficiently organizes multiple notebooks, code consoles, and various documents within a tabbed layout. It also supports real-time coordination/collaboration, easy file navigation, and integrates with multiple development tools, making it ideal for handling complex tasks. While Jupyter is great for simpler tasks, JupyterLab offers a more advanced experience. To begin utilizing JupyterLab, we must first install it on our system with the below-provided command: pip3 install jupyterlab After completing the installation, we can access JupyterLab by employing this command: jupyter-lab It will commence JupyterLab in our browser, which presents a more advanced interface for managing notebooks. Uninstalling Jupyter From Ubuntu If Jupyter is no longer required, you can uninstall it effortlessly. Employ this command to remove Jupyter alongside its associated dependencies: pip3 uninstall jupyter -y To completely remove Jupyter, including stored settings, cached data, and user configurations, delete the associated files and directories: rm -rf ~/.jupyterrm -rf ~/.local/share/jupyter This process ensures that Jupyter is entirely removed, leaving no leftover files in the system. Effective Ways to Optimize Jupyter Notebook Usage Below are some effective tips for configuring and operating Jupyter Notebook on Ubuntu: Before installation, update your system and confirm that Python3 and pip are properly installed. Utilize a virtual environment to maintain an efficient, dedicated environment and prevent conflicts with other Python projects. To avoid compatibility concerns, make sure that Python and pip have been updated to the newest versions. Utilize pip to install Jupyter inside the virtual environment to efficiently handle required dependencies. If you need a more advanced interface with enhanced features such as real-time collaboration and file management, consider installing JupyterLab instead of Jupyter Notebook. Executing these practices guarantees a precise setup and an efficient and productive platform for coding, analytical work, and research projects. Final Thoughts Jupyter or IPython Notebook is an essential medium for developers, researchers, and learners working with coding and data analysis. Its capability to seamlessly integrate code, graphs, and explanations into a single document makes it a perfect choice for collaborative work and educational purposes. Installing Jupyter on Ubuntu 22.04 is simple, and by implementing the instructions demonstrated in this post, you can quickly set up a productive workspace. Additionally, utilizing best practices such as using a virtual environment and keeping Python and pip updated helps maintain a seamless experience.