A short guide (I prefer using plain apt instead of apt-get, apt-cache etc.):

Prior to all you have to update information about packages in repositories:
First you want to search for packages; their names can differ from the names of source packages. Repositories contain precompiled binaries, which means that you don't have to search the world wide web for sources. So, to search:
An example output:
Second, to install:
Consult with apt search to type a proper name of a package.

Third, to remove a package:
or to remove completely, including configuration files:
When removing something, consult with dependencies - packages that will be removed as well because this particular package is needed for them to run. An example:

Finally, someone who has taken the time to explain things clearly.

Thank you Mitt! This makes a lot more sense than what I've previously heard. I'm assuming that you could download other package managers like Synaptic to do a similar job, but using apt, which is the standard package manager for Debian, is also basically the same thing, it's just a matter of user preference?

And I just have one more question:

I guess that trusty-updates is a particular type of mirror repository? Why is my system using this instead of either Universe etc.?

Ok, I'm done with you. You do realize that we all expect you to actually put in some effort to read and understand on your own? I spoon feed my one year old grandson and that's my linit...

dpkg is actually default in both Ubuntu and Debian but it doesn't deal with repositories, and is only used to deal with local packages (for all features type man dpkg). APT is kind of a front-end for dpkg with some additional functions, like online repositories.

The file /etc/apt/sources.list contains information on repositories that APT uses. Please, post output using Ubuntu divides software into four main sub-repositories:

Main - contains only supported by Ubuntu free software;
Universe - contains unsupported but free software;
Restricted - contains supported non-free software;
Multiverse - contains unsupported non-free software.

Updates contain newer versions of packages, provided by these four.


So, print the output, we'll see what you have.


By the way, man pages are a great source of information about a programme. The descriptions there are highly technical and informative. It's a good habit to read them fully, though it surely requires some time.

Just my two cents.

Using command-line tools is by far the best way to get used to a command-line interface. They have advantages:

• they are simple
• they are fast
• they will help you if your graphical user interface is broken
• it's a traditional Unix way
• they will help you understand your computer better

Thanks Mitt. This stuff is pretty overwhelming to get your head round at first, your help is definitely speeding up my learning curve! Okay,

Put where lacking universe, multiverse, etc., so it will look like this:

Ummm ... instead of being rude and stating that you're done with him, why don't you save your breath
and my time and simply remain quiet?


Thanks,
Tink