RPi Install software

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Installing a software package on a Raspberry Pi

What does it do?

This guide shows you how to install a software package on a Raspberry Pi.

These instructions will show you how to install software from the command line. This is a very important skill if you wish to progress further with Linux.

What do you need?

  • A Raspberry Pi, model B.
  • A Debian SD card for the Raspberry Pi, size should be 2GB or larger.
  • A network connection (Ethernet or WiFi).

What skill level is required?

Suitable for absolute beginners. No Linux knowledge is needed.

It is assumed that you have used a computer before, for example a Windows PC.

Installing the software

Unplug the power cable from the Raspberry Pi.

Insert a Debian SD card in the Raspberry Pi.

Connect the Ethernet cable from your Raspberry Pi to a modem or other internet service. You may also use a WiFi device, but you may need help to get this working.

Connect the power cable. Log in with your username and password.

To check if your internet connection is working, enter the following command and press enter at the end.

ping -c 1 www.raspberrypi.org

If your internet connection is working, you should see a statistics report which contains the following

1 packets transmitted, 1 received, 0% packet loss

If you get an error message instead, or a report of 100% packet loss, you have a problem with your internet connection. You must ask somebody to help fix this problem before you can proceed.

Enter the following command and press enter at the end.

sudo apt-get update

This command will fetch the latest software lists. The command may take a couple of minutes to complete, you can ignore any warnings that you see.

Enter the following command and press enter at the end.

sudo apt-get install xxxx

where xxxx is the name of the software package that you wish to install.

For example, to install the software package chromium-browser, you should use the command

sudo apt-get install chromium-browser

You may be asked for your password. Enter your password and press enter. Note that you will not be able to see your password.

RPiInstallChromium1.jpg

You may be asked for permission (yes/no) to install new software.

RPiInstallChromium2.jpg

Press the 'y' key and enter to continue.

Wait for the installation to complete.

RPiInstallChromium3.jpg

The software installation is now finished.

Removing the software

Use these instructions if you wish to remove a software package.

Follow the instructions above to install the software, but use this command instead.

sudo apt-get remove xxxx

where xxxx is the name of the software package that you wish to remove.