How to check what all softwares are installed and how to uninstall one?

ravisingh1 · 07-14-2013, 05:11 AM

Please provide me with commands that will help me to know what all softwares are installed on my ubuntu12.10. And what command needs to be given to uninstall one.
Also, yesterday I installed gparted and vim. How to know in which folder it has installed. In general , I think whenever we install any s/w, it is by default "installed" in a particular folder. Please rectify me if the term "installed " shouldn't be used here.

jv2112 · 07-14-2013, 06:02 AM

Take a look at the man page or do a google search on apt-get. That is the package manager used by ubuntu.

You can open a terminal and type 'which vim' and it will show you where in the directory tree it was placed. Probably /usr/bin/vim.

Doc CPU · 07-14-2013, 06:09 AM

Hi there,

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravisingh1

Please provide me with commands that will help me to know what all softwares are installed on my ubuntu12.10. And what command needs to be given to uninstall one.
Also, yesterday I installed gparted and vim. How to know in which folder it has installed. In general , I think whenever we install any s/w, it is by default "installed" in a particular folder. Please rectify me if the term "installed " shouldn't be used here.

the way you're talking about this makes me think that you're coming from Windows, that you're still used to the way software is organized in Windows, and that you're now trying to recognize these principles you've known all the time in Ubuntu.

Most Linux distros organize their software in packages. A package can be an entire program, an add-on, or just a certain library; very often, many packages together make up a program. Usually, the distro has a package manager that keeps track of what is installed. Plus, it offers you the so-called repository, a long list of community-maintained packages taylored for your distro, where you can pick your software you wish to install.

In Ubuntu, there is a command-line tool called "apt" to deal with software packages, but I'd rather recommend you to use the GUI frontend. It's called Synaptic Package Manager and should be available from the application menu. Synaptic displays you the list of packages and additional information on them. Since there are thousands of packages, you can filter them by different criteria, you can search them and group them. You can easily see which packages are installed or not installed.

As to installation folders ... No, you seem to have a wrong perception here. Windows usually assigns a separate folder for each program you install, typically under "C:\Program Files". In Linux, most programs are installed to /bin, or /usr/bin. That yields a wild mix inside this directory, but since the package manager meticulously keeps track of all the files and the packages they belong to, you don't have to worry about that.
And actually, you rarely have to know where a particular program has been installed. It'll usually be a directory that is included in the search path, so you can run it directly by its name, without bothering about its location.

[X] Doc CPU

ravisingh1 · 07-14-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc CPU

In Ubuntu, there is a command-line tool called "apt" to deal with software packages, but I'd rather recommend you to use the GUI frontend. It's called Synaptic Package Manager and should be available from the application menu. Synaptic displays you the list of packages and additional information on them.ithout bothering about its location.

[X] Doc CPU

Thanks a lot for your valuable info. But yet I couldn't use them.
1)How to execute that command line tool "apt". I directly entered in command prompt but to no avail. See the output below.

PHP Code:



ravbholua@ravbholua-Aspire-5315:~$ apt
No command 'apt' found, did you mean:
 Command 'aptd' from package 'aptdaemon' (main)
 Command 'xapt' from package 'xapt' (universe)
 Command 'opt' from package 'llvm' (universe)
 Command 'apm' from package 'apmd' (main)
 Command 'atp' from package 'atp' (universe)
 Command 'ppt' from package 'bsdgames' (universe)
 Command 'apf' from package 'apf-firewall' (universe)
 Command 'apg' from package 'apg' (main)
 Command 'gpt' from package 'gpt' (universe)
 Command 'ant' from package 'ant' (main)
 Command 'ant' from package 'ant1.7' (universe)
 Command 'at' from package 'at' (main)
 Command 'pat' from package 'dist' (universe)
 Command 'aft' from package 'aft' (universe)
apt: command not found

2) Also, regarding symatic package manager: I searched for this name but it messaged "Sorry, thereis nothing that matches your search".

3)Also, one thing I w'd like to ask. I installed ubuntu12.10 from internet (size ~ 780 MB). but vim wasn't installed. Only vi was installed. I had to give command to download and install it on my system. But why so as I expect vim should be there in place of vi by-default.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc CPU

In Linux, most programs are installed to /bin, or /usr/bin.

Oh, what I had the perception that the executable of the programs like grep, sed, perl, etc are available in /bin. But I was not sure that it is the complete software. Please correct me is I am wrong. To see where a command is located I used to give

Code:

type grep

. But I thought it's only executable and other related files are somewhere else because this is how a s/w is installed or s/w works in Windows. (This directory where everything is there is what I was asking.)

Doc CPU · 07-14-2013, 02:29 PM

Hi there,

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravisingh1

Thanks a lot for your valuable info. But yet I couldn't use them.
1)How to execute that command line tool "apt". I directly entered in command prompt but to no avail.

I'm sorry that my information was misguiding you. Actually, APT is not a single program, but a collective term. This Wikipedia article provides you with more information.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravisingh1

2) Also, regarding symatic package manager: I searched for this name but it messaged "Sorry, thereis nothing that matches your search".

Alright, that fault is yours now: I said "Synaptic", not "Symatic".

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravisingh1

3)Also, one thing I w'd like to ask. I installed ubuntu12.10 from internet (size ~ 780 MB). but vim wasn't installed. Only vi was installed. I had to give command to download and install it on my system.

Probably you mean "apt-get install vim".

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravisingh1

But why so as I expect vim should be there in place of vi by-default.

Apparently it isn't. I don't know, I've never cared for vi or vim, as I prefer other text editors (like Bluefish in GUI, or nano in console).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravisingh1

Oh, what I had the perception that the executable of the programs like grep, sed, perl, etc are available in /bin. But I was not sure that it is the complete software.

AFAIK the /bin directory contains most of the native GNU programs, and /usr/bin contains the whole lot - like firefox, avidemux and the better part of LibreOffice if you install it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravisingh1

Please correct me is I am wrong. To see where a command is located I used to give

Code:

type grep

. But I thought it's only executable and other related files are somewhere else because this is how a s/w is installed or s/w works in Windows. (This directory where everything is there is what I was asking.)

Actually, there are some other directories where related files are put, like /usr/share and below. And there are in fact a few that directly belong to specific programs. But they usually don't contain the executable files, which is different from the way Windows organizes the software installations.

[X] Doc CPU

knudfl · 07-15-2013, 04:02 AM

Please read the 'Documentation'
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InstallingSoftware
etc. etc.

Knowing the file locations for an installed package :
$ dpkg -L <package>
Examples :
$ dpkg -L vim
$ dpkg -L gparted

Linux directory structure
http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2010/09/...tem-structure/

-

ravisingh1 · 07-15-2013, 08:12 AM

Knudfl, thanks a lot. It works what you told. The links you provided are very useful. Thanks for that even.

One question: As one application has its files at other locations also, is it right to say that the application is installed where the executable is? This is what the reply I received from other in the previous posts. I don't think it should be right. Also, for proper functioning of the application (i.e. executable), are other related files equally important or if all others are deleted, then also the application (i.e. executable) will run perfectly as before?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc CPU

In Ubuntu, there is a command-line tool called "apt" to deal with software packages, but I'd rather recommend you to use the GUI frontend. It's called Synaptic Package Manager and should be available from the application menu. [X] Doc CPU

Please see attachment, it's not there in my system.
Also couldn't install from command line as shown below:

Code:

ravbholua@ravbholua-Aspire-5315:~$ sudo apt-get  install synaptic package manager
[sudo] password for ravbholua: 
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package package
E: Unable to locate package manager

eklavya · 07-15-2013, 08:28 AM

You should try ubuntu software center. Ubuntu software center gives complete list of installed and suggested softwares.

Correct command for installing synaptic package manager

Quote:

$ sudo apt-get install synaptic

But be careful about synaptic, it is not for newbies. It is created for root.
If you uninstall any important package, you could face boot or installation or different problems.

Doc CPU · 07-15-2013, 08:51 AM

Hi there,

Quote:

Originally Posted by eklavya

But be careful about synaptic, it is not for newbies. It is created for root.
If you uninstall any important package, you could face boot or installation or different problems.

that's exactly what I experienced with Ubuntu software center in Ubuntu 10.04: I uninstalled something seemingly unsignificant using software center (don't remember what it was, I think some messenger crap), and ended up with a desktop that wouldn't start any more. My knowledge still being limited, I found no other way than re-installing the entire system.

The problem is that software center doesn't care about breaking dependencies - at least it didn't at that time, and that's why I tagged it as "dangerous" in my mind.
Synaptic, on the other hand, appears fool-proof to me. When I mark a package for installation or removal, it prompts me with a list of additional packages that have to installed, or packages that won't work any more after removal of the one I marked. And that happens before Synaptic actually starts to do something!

[X] Doc CPU

Firerat · 07-15-2013, 09:17 AM

Got to agree with Doc CPU here,
It has been a long time since I used "Ubuntu software center" but my experience was that it was greatly inferior to synaptic.

I got the feeling that 'they' were trying to steer the users to premium ( paid ) content. Something also evident in the provided screenshot.
[rant]
Here Unity has tried to be 'helpful' ( to the creators of premium content )
instead of suggesting the user simply installs synaptic it offers books which may list synaptic as a topic. I really wouldn't mind if it offered to install the missing software you are obviously looking for, but no.. Unity just wants to unite your cash with its.
[/rant]

anyway, yes

Code:

sudo apt-get install synaptic

and then to start it either

Code:

synaptic-pkexec
# or 
sudo synaptic

the first presents graphical password request, thge second is run it as root sudo style

@ravisingh1
If you are not too attached to Unity ( your current GUI ) try some of the others
mate, xfce , kde , cinnamon

You may find it much easier to find things by navigating traditional styled menus

But if you like Unity, just ignore me

eklavya · 07-15-2013, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc CPU

Hi there,

that's exactly what I experienced with Ubuntu software center in Ubuntu 10.04: I uninstalled something seemingly unsignificant using software center (don't remember what it was, I think some messenger crap), and ended up with a desktop that wouldn't start any more. My knowledge still being limited, I found no other way than re-installing the entire system.

The problem is that software center doesn't care about breaking dependencies - at least it didn't at that time, and that's why I tagged it as "dangerous" in my mind.
Synaptic, on the other hand, appears fool-proof to me. When I mark a package for installation or removal, it prompts me with a list of additional packages that have to installed, or packages that won't work any more after removal of the one I marked. And that happens before Synaptic actually starts to do something!

[X] Doc CPU

yes but if you open synaptic package manager as a user, it gives you following message.

Click image for larger version

Name: abc.png
Views: 47
Size: 18.8 KB
ID: 12964

But it does not give any message when you open ubuntu software center as a user because synaptic was created for root.
if you will analysis previous versions of ubuntu when classic desktop was there, they did not provide administration tab for users and synaptic was given in administrative tab but there is no such validations in ubuntu software center.

if you read synaptic package in wikipedia, it clearly says
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_%28software%29

Code:

Once the Synaptic package is pasted into /var/cache/apt/archives, the folder whose name begins with "synaptic," which was just copied to the apt/archives directory, would be right-clicked and opened with the default package manager (this option, which also requires root privileges, appears in a menu after right-clicking).

Firerat · 07-15-2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eklavya

yes but if you open synaptic package manager as a user, it gives you following message.
Attachment 12964

so open it correctly ( see my previous post )

Quote:

Originally Posted by eklavya

But it does not give any message when you open ubuntu software center as a user because synaptic was created for root.

why should Ubuntu software manager know or care about what synaptic was created for?

Quote:

Originally Posted by eklavya

if you will analysis previous versions of ubuntu when classic desktop was there, they did not provide administration tab for users and synaptic was given in administrative tab but there is no such validations in ubuntu software center.

No reason you couldn't add the admin tab yourself, or use the proper command in alt+f2 / terminal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eklavya

if you read synaptic package in wikipedia, it clearly says
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_%28software%29

Code:

Once the Synaptic package is pasted into /var/cache/apt/archives, the folder whose name begins with "synaptic," which was just copied to the apt/archives directory, would be right-clicked and opened with the default package manager (this option, which also requires root privileges, appears in a menu after right-clicking).

look, if you are going to quote wikipedia at least quote the whole section

Quote:

Originally Posted by Some Wiki type person

Backing-up and re-installing downloaded packages

To avoid having to RE-download any installed packages, such as if your flash-drive installation dies without warning (which would effectively destroy any data saved on it - so save data, including web-browser bookmarks, on a separate flash drive or two, and perhaps encrypt them), this section's writer (using the term loosely) suggests installing Synaptic first, and backing-up the files which are downloaded in the process (which are automatically placed in "File System"/var/cache/apt/archives during installaton) on a couple of backup flash drives, IN FOLDERS RESERVED FOR SYNAPTIC. (The idea is to isolate the files required to install Synaptic, so it can be installed on the replacement Linux installation first without having to download Synaptic again, and then used to install any other backup-packages as if they were a multiple-package download. There are naturally other approaches to installing Synaptic first on the replacement Linux installation, but they're not as easy, or they require another Synaptic download.) Once the files required for installing Synaptic are isolated and backed-up, the entire apt/archives directory would be saved to the same backup flash drives (but not to the folders reserved for Synaptic), each time another package is installed.

To install these backup-packages on the replacement Linux installation (which would have to be the same version as the original installation in order to use this method), Synaptic would be installed first, beginning by by copying/pasting the contents of its backup folder into the /var/cache/apt/archives directory. Pasting to this folder requires root privileges, which can be obtained by entering 'gksudo nautilus' on the command line. This opens Nautilus, the file browser/manager, but without the usual protections against destroying the system, so be careful.

Once the Synaptic package is pasted into /var/cache/apt/archives, the folder whose name begins with "synaptic," which was just copied to the apt/archives directory, would be right-clicked and opened with the default package manager (this option, which also requires root privileges, appears in a menu after right-clicking). Synaptic could then be installed. (An internet connection might be required, and installation can take a while, even though no packages would be downloaded.) Once Synaptic is installed, Nautilus should be closed to protect the system.

Now, Synaptic could be used for installing the rest of the backup-packages by using one of the apt/archives backup folders as if it were a multiple-package download. Others might suggest using Apt On CD, but this would require an approximately 8MB download (performed by entering "sudo apt-get install aptoncd," etc.), and it would be redundant if you already have Synaptic.

and I really do not see why that has any relevance, to this thread or indeed that wiki page ( If I were active on wiki I would delete that garbage )

ukiuki · 07-15-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firerat

...

Code:

synaptic-pkexec
# or 
sudo synaptic

the first presents graphical password request, thge second is run it as root sudo style

....

As already stated above you have to run it with root powers with sudo command as a "bridge" to open synaptic, so in the termninal type:

Code:

sudo synaptic

The & symbol will leave the terminal prompt available if you want to run other commands otherwise it will hold the prompt untill synaptic is closed.

Or if there is such option to run it from some GUI run software if is installed, there is a nice one named gmrun

There are possible 3 programs that comes with Ubuntu to manage software, the package managers, aptitude, apt-get and dpkg. But those are text mode programs.
To know more about them type in the terminal man and then the name of the program you want to learn about, like:

Code:

man apt-get

Ubuntu software center and synaptic are graphical programs to manage the packages(programs).

Regards

Firerat · 07-15-2013, 10:04 AM

@ravisingh1

Just wanted to point out, I'm not saying don't use Ubuntu Software Manager, it may well suit your needs.

Just don't be scared of looking at things through synaptic. It will warn you before you break things.

Doc CPU · 07-15-2013, 10:07 AM

Hi there,

Quote:

Originally Posted by eklavya

if you open synaptic package manager as a user, it gives you following message.
Attachment 12964

does it really? I've never seen that message. Instead, the screen goes gray, and a modal dialog pops up telling me that this action requires administrative privileges, and that I please enter my password again to be granted root privileges temporarily. It used to be that way in Ubuntu 9.x, Ubuntu 10.x and Linux Mint, which is also Ubuntu based, and all these distros/versions have a launcher for Synaptic in their application menu after a default install.
I'm not sure about Ubuntu 11 through 13, as I turned my back on it after they dismissed Gnome 2 - I liked neither Gnome 3, far less Unity. But I can't imagine that they drop such a core tool from the default install.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eklavya

if you read synaptic package in wikipedia, it clearly says
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_%28software%29
Once the Synaptic package is pasted into /var/cache/apt/archives, the folder whose name begins with "synaptic," which was just copied to the apt/archives directory, would be right-clicked and opened with the default package manager (this option, which also requires root privileges, appears in a menu after right-clicking).

Honestly, I don't understand entirely what the Wiki authors are trying to say. But I think that whole section is only about installing Synaptic on a system that doesn't already have it by default - and obviously, ravisingh1's system has:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravisingh1

Code:

ravbholua@ravbholua-Aspire-5315:~$ sudo apt-get  install synaptic package manager
[sudo] password for ravbholua: 
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
E: Unable to locate package package
E: Unable to locate package manager

Of course, if he/she tries to install packages "synaptic", "package" and "manager", the latter two will fail as they don't exist. But there's no error about "Synaptic", neither a message that the package is being installed now, which means it is already installed and up-to-date.

[X] Doc CPU