Debian is one of the oldest and most popular Linux distributions, known for its stability, security, and wide software availability. In this blog post, we will explore the Debian distribution and how to interact with it using bash commands.
What is Debian?
Debian is a free operating system that uses the Linux kernel. It is developed by a team of volunteers worldwide and follows the philosophy of free software. Debian is known for its dedication to stability, making it a reliable choice for servers and production environments.
Basics of Debian
Installation
To install Debian, you can use the Debian Installer, which is available for a wide range of hardware architectures. Once installed, Debian provides a minimal system with essential packages.
Package Management
Debian uses the Advanced Package Tool (APT) for package management. APT provides a high-level user interface to handle package installation, removal, and upgrades. It allows you to easily search, install, and manage software on your Debian system.
To install a package using APT, open a terminal and use the following command:
sudo apt install package_name
To update the package list and upgrade installed packages, use the following two commands respectively:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
Repositories
Debian has three main software repositories:
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Main: It contains free and open-source software officially supported by the Debian project.
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Contrib: It contains software that depends on non-free software or is not officially supported. Users can install packages from this repository, but they are not officially part of Debian.
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Non-free: It contains proprietary software that is not free and often requires a license.
To enable the contrib and non-free repositories, open the /etc/apt/sources.list file using a text editor and uncomment the respective lines.
Adding and Removing Packages
Apart from installing packages using APT, you can also add or remove packages manually.
To install a .deb package file, use the dpkg command followed by the package file name:
sudo dpkg -i package_file.deb
To remove an installed package, use the following command:
sudo apt remove package_name
Conclusion
Debian is a versatile and reliable Linux distribution that is widely used in various environments. By understanding the basics of Debian and how to interact with it using bash commands, you can effectively manage your Debian-based systems and take advantage of the vast software repositories available.
Remember to keep your Debian system updated and secured by regularly applying updates and patches.