How to install programs on Arch?

Mr. Alex · 07-13-2010, 08:32 AM

Hello. DEB user here.

How do I install programs on Arch? Is there any package extention like *.deb or *.rpm? Is it possible to install from files? Can pacman treat packages from repositories like apt-get does it? Install, remove, purge, upgrade them? Does it handle dependencies?

pixellany · 07-13-2010, 08:36 AM

Have you installed Arch yet? (Hint: After installing it, you will have answered most of your questions.)

The answer to all of your detailed questions is YES! IMHO, Arch has one of the best package management setups out there.

For your reading pleasure: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Pacman

snowday · 07-13-2010, 10:27 AM

Your question suggests you have not yet read the Arch Beginners Guide, which is required reading in my opinion: http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners%27_Guide

Mr. Alex · 07-13-2010, 10:43 AM

Thanks! Just one more question about subject: does Arch have expire time like Ubuntu? Or you can install software from repositories even on very old Arch?

pixellany · 07-13-2010, 11:13 AM

Don't know what you mean by "expire time", but Arch is "Rolling Release". In principle, you can get up to the current version from any starting point. I practice, I would not count on it----Install from the most recent iso, then run "pacman -Syu" to get up to date.

Time to install it so that you can see for yourself.....

Mr. Alex · 07-13-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

Time to install it so that you can see for yourself.....

I have Celeron 440 CPU and 15' monitor. Very difficult to test an OS via VirtualBox with such a computer. Feels like you have a netbook. That's why I ask questions here.

Quote:

Don't know what you mean by "expire time"

For example I can use repos untill april 2013 if I use Ubuntu 10.04. Then I'll have to install new Ubuntu. Newer version of it. It will have new configs and config files (as far as I know), new repos' addresses, etc.

pixellany · 07-13-2010, 11:34 AM

If you install Arch from a recent iso, you can keep updating forever without re-installing. As a practical matter, when things get really cluttered, I often find it easier to re-install.

What are the complete specs on your computer?

Mr. Alex · 07-13-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

As a practical matter, when things get really cluttered, I often find it easier to re-install.

Why would they become cluttered?

Quote:

What are the complete specs on your computer?

I have a super machine!
Celeron 440, 2 GB RAM, 232 GB HDD SATA, Biostar 945P-A7A mainboard, 400W Power supply, some optical drives, GeForce 8400GS, internal sound and eth, Samsung SyncMaster 151s.

pixellany · 07-13-2010, 12:18 PM

You have a very capable computer!! Simply create a partition and install Arch directly---put an end to the uncertainty!!!

Quote:

Why would they become cluttered?

Speaking only for myself:

Installing programs not available in the repos
Installing things from AUR
Experimenting with drivers
Installing a different version of a program in /opt
creating vast numbers on nonsense files while solving programming problems
Reverting to an older version of something when pacman -Su breaks something. (Yes, it happens)
Other ways that I can't remember
Gremlins

Mr. Alex · 07-13-2010, 12:21 PM

Thanks for help.

John VV · 07-13-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Thanks! Just one more question about subject: does Arch have expire time like Ubuntu? Or you can install software from repositories even on very old Arch?

you have NOT read the Arch wiki -- Please DO SO .
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Main_Page
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/The_Arch_Way
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/..._Distributions

Mr. Alex · 07-14-2010, 01:16 AM

Mr. Alex · 08-07-2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Arch has one of the best package management setups out there.

Why the best? It's definitely good, but do you really think it's better then DEB?