Linux with Operating System Concepts

whether
you should install 
the software but 
how
and 
where
it should be installed. Installing software on multiple 
computers can require a good deal of time. Many organizations will install the soft-
ware on a shared file server. Another alternative is to “push” the software onto all 
computers over the network.
• Finally, do you have enough disk space in the destination partition(s)? In Linux, most 
software will be installed under /usr (in /usr/bin most likely) or possibly /opt, but the 
software may also create files in /etc and /var.
Over the next three sections, we look at different mechanisms by which we can install 
software. First, we will look at installation through the Add/Remove Software GUI appli-
cation available in CentOS. Second, we will look at three package managers: 
rpm
and 
yum
for Red Hat Linux and 
apt
for Debian Linux. Finally, we will look at installing software 
from source code (open source software), requiring the use of the 
make
command.

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Software Installation and Maintenance
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13.3 INSTALLING SOFTWARE FROM A GUI
13.3.1 Add/Remove Software GUI in CentOS
Recall during CentOS installation (Chapter 8) you were given a choice of installation types 
(minimal, desktop, server, etc.). You were also given the opportunity to select additional 
software packages. It is not necessary to select software at that juncture because you can 
always add software packages at a later point in time using the same mechanism.
From the 
System
menu, select 
Administration
and then 
Add/Remove 
Software
. The Add/Remove Software GUI appears. You have three possible ways to pro-
ceed. First, if you know the software’s package name, enter it in the search box. Second, 
click on one of the four selections in the upper left-hand pane to select a group of packages, 
or third, select one of the triangles in the lower left-hand pane to open up a particular soft-
ware type. Figure 13.1 illustrates the selection of all packages. In the right-hand pane, you 
see that there are a few packages visible and far many for you to scroll through. Of these 
packages, “Automated bug detection and reporting tool” (abrt-2.0.4-14.el6.centos) is the 
only one currently installed.
The areas in the lower left-hand pane are groupings of types of packages. Applications 
contains selections for Emacs, Graphics Creation Tools, Internet Applications, Internet 
Browser, Office Suite and Productivity, Tex support (for the TeX and LaTeX text formatting 
program), and Technical Writing. Selecting any of these brings up all related packages. For 
instance, Graphics Creation Tools includes the GIMP program and supporting packages, 
X Windows tools, and drawing programs. If packages have already been installed, they will 
appear with check marks next to them.
The Base System packages include programs and tools that help support the Linux user 
and system administrator. These include the Bacula backup utility, authentication pro-
grams, including Kerberos, PAM, and LDAP; network programs such as FTP, Samba, nscd 
FIGURE 13.1 
Add/Remove Software GUI.

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Linux with Operating System Concepts
(name service caching daemon), and mail programs; the Java run-time environment (JDK); 
support for CUPS (common unix printing service); and many other types of packages.
The Desktops entry contains a number of different windowing systems for Linux. You 
have most likely already-installed Gnome. Available here are also KDE, Nautilus, Motif, 
and X Windows support utilities. There are packages for font libraries and remote desktop 
clients. There is also support for different languages (human languages).
The Development entry contains packages to support the software developer through 
different programming language environments, including compiler support for C, C
++
, 
Java, FORTRAN, and Ada 95 to name a few. Additionally, this entry contains C library files.
There are separate entries for Databases and Servers. Under Databases, you will find 
MySQL and PostgreSQL client and server software. Server types include backup servers, 
directory servers, Email servers, FTP servers, NFS servers, NIS servers, print servers, and 
administration tools. Separately, under Web Servers, you will find the Apache web server, 
the Squid proxy server, and supporting files and modules.
Installation from any one of these packages is simple. Select the item(s) to be installed 
and click on the Apply button. Any package might have