Note: This article was originally published in 2016. Some steps, commands, or software versions may have changed. Check the current Ubuntu documentation for the latest information.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A system running Ubuntu (desktop or server edition)
  • Terminal access with sudo privileges
  • Basic familiarity with Linux command line

Packages are manually installed via the dpkg command (Debian Package Management System). dpkg is the backend to commands like apt-get and aptitude, which in turn are the backend for GUI install apps like the Software Center and Synaptic. Something along the lines of: dpkg —> apt-get, aptitude —> Synaptic, Software Center But of course the easiest ways to install a package would be, first, the GUI apps (Synaptic, Software Center, etc..), followed by the terminal commands apt-get and aptitude that add a very nice user friendly approach to the backend dpkg, including but not limited to packaged dependencies, control over what is installed, needs update, not installed, broken packages, etc.. Lastly the dpkg command which is the base for all of them. Since dpkg is the base, you can use it to install packaged directly from the command line. INSTALL A PACKAGE

sudo dpkg -i DEB_PACKAGE

For example if the package file is called askubuntu_2.0.deb then you should do sudo dpkg -i askubuntu_2.0.deb. If dpkg reports an error due to dependency problems, you can run sudo apt-get install -f to download the missing dependencies and configure everything. If that reports an error, you’ll have to sort out the dependencies yourself by following for example (http://askubuntu.com/questions/140246/how-do-i-resolve-unmet-dependencies). REMOVE A PACKAGE

sudo dpkg -r PACKAGE_NAME

For example if the package is called askubuntu then you should do sudo dpkg -r askubuntu.

Summary

You’ve successfully learned install a .deb file via the command line?. If you run into any issues, double-check the prerequisites and ensure your Ubuntu environment is properly configured.