What Is Software?

Simply put, software is the collective term for programs and data that enable a computer to perform specific tasks. It consists of computer programs and related data, forming a set of instructions that can carry out specific functions. We usually divide software into two main categories: system software and application software. System software forms the foundation of a computer system, including the operating system, drivers, language processors, compilers, and so on; application software, on the other hand, is more closely related to our daily use, such as office software, games, multimedia software, and so on.

Ubuntu Software Installation Methods

Install via the APP Store

The APP Store that comes with Ubuntu is an extremely convenient way to install software. With just a few simple clicks, you can find and install the software you need. This process is fully automated, making software installation very simple. However, because some software may not be available in the APP Store, or due to local network conditions, you may sometimes need to try other installation methods.

Install Using the APT Tool

APT (Advanced Packaging Tool) is a powerful package management tool in Ubuntu that can help us automatically complete software downloading, configuration, and installation. When using APT, you need root privileges, but don't worry, a simple sudo command can solve that. Below are the basic steps for installing software using the APT tool:

sudo apt update  # 更新软件源

sudo apt install software\_name  # 安装软件

sudo apt remove software\_name  # 卸载软件

sudo apt upgrade  # 升级已安装的软件

Installing deb Packages

In Ubuntu, software packages in deb format are equivalent to .exe installation files in Windows. You can directly download software packages in .deb format and then install them with a few simple commands:

sudo dpkg -i software\_name.deb  # 安装.deb软件包

sudo apt-get install -f  # 安装依赖

sudo dpkg -i software\_name.deb  # 再次安装.deb软件包

Download the Source Code and Compile It Yourself

For some software that does not provide a .deb package, or if you want to install the latest version of a program, downloading the source code and compiling it yourself is a good option. Although this process is more complex, it also gives you a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the software installation process:

Other Installation Methods

Some other software may be provided with the extension .run or .bin. These files are usually self-extracting installation packages, and the installation process is also very straightforward: