▶ FIELD MANUAL // TOOLS N TOYS

# LINUX INSTALLATION METHODS

Comprehensive Guide to Software Management

## Landscape

Method | Root | Auto-Updates | Sandboxed | Speed
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
APT | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ⚡ Fast
Flatpak | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | 🐌 Slower
Snap | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | 🐌 Slowest
AppImage | ✗ | ⚠️ Manual | ✗ | ⚡ Fast

## 1. APT/DPKG (Native Packages)

The standard for Debian/Ubuntu-based systems.

BASH

    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install package-name
    sudo apt purge package-name
    sudo apt autoremove

## 2. Flatpak

Universal package manager with sandboxing.

BASH

    flatpak install flathub org.example.App
    flatpak run org.example.App
    flatpak update
    flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.example.App

## 3. Snap

Ubuntu's universal manager. (Note: Mint removes this by default).

BASH

    sudo snap install app-name
    sudo snap refresh
    sudo snap remove --purge app-name

## 4. AppImage

Portable, single-file applications.

BASH

    chmod +x app-name.AppImage
    ./app-name.AppImage

## 5. Tarball Archives

Compressed archives for manual extraction.

    tar -xzf app-name.tar.gz
    sudo mv app-name/ /opt/

## 6. Source Compilation

Building from source for maximum control.

    ./configure --prefix=/usr/local
    make -j$(nproc)
    sudo make install

## 7. Scripts

Third-party installation scripts (use with caution).

    curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
    sudo sh get-docker.sh

## Choosing the Right Method

1. APT - Stability & Integration
2. Flatpak - Latest versions & Security
3. AppImage - Portability

## Maintenance Best Practices

BASH

    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
    flatpak update -y
    sudo apt autoremove --purge

## Troubleshooting

- Locked Manager: `sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock`
- Broken Deps: `sudo apt --fix-broken install`
- Missing Libs: `ldd executable`