Software management in Ubuntu 16.10

Quick Sources

The Software app is a graphical interface for APT, the Advanced Packaging Tool, which manages the list of software in the repositories in the background. As already noted, you can also run apt over the command line; many experienced Ubuntu users prefer this method because the commands work with any Ubuntu derivative. Following are four important commands:

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt search (--names-only) inkscape
$ sudo apt install inkscape
$ sudo apt remove (--purge) inkscape

The first command brings the package list up to date. It is important to keep all the software on your system current considering how quickly program versions change. The next line searches for a package with a name or description that includes the term inkscape . Add the --names-only option (without the parentheses) to the command to search for the package name only. The third line installs the package, and the fourth line removes it. Use the --purge option to purge the configuration files in the home directory along with the package.

To remove all the packages installed through a PPA, either use the Software app and choose the PPA next to Installed . Another way to remove a package is to stay on the command line, install the ppa-purge package, and enter the following command:

$ sudo ppa-purge ppa:inkscape/stable

for the Inkscape example.

Single Consignments

Finally, there are some websites that provide single Debian packages to download. To install the software, double-click the DEB package. Ubuntu then calls the Software app and recommends installing the package. Once you click OK , the package appears together with a screenshot and description in the Software app. Finally, download the package with Install .