Linux: How to Install/Remove Packages

Here's how to install and remove Ubuntu Linux software packages.

Install Package

sudo apt-get install name

Install a package.

Remove Package

sudo apt-get remove name

Uninstall package.

sudo apt-get purge name

Remove a package and its config files.

Search package

apt-cache search name

Search for a package.

Describe Package

apt-cache show name

Describe package.

apt-get showpkg name

Show a package's dependencies.

List Installed Packages

dpkg -l

List all installed packages

Update All Installed Software

# update all software (it'll ask to confirm)
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get distupgrade

Launch Software Update GUI App

update-manager

Launch the package manager GUI App