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 / Chapter 3. Installing, Removing and Updating Software
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Installing, Removing and Updating Software

Contents

3.1. Installing Software
3.2. Removing Software
3.3. Keeping the System Up-to-date

Abstract

Change the software collection of your system using YaST. In YaST's software management tool search for software components you want to add or remove. YaST resolves all the dependencies for you. Keep your system up-to-date by managing software updates with openSUSE Updater.

Installing Software

Software is available via RPM packages or groups together in so-called patterns. Each package contains the program itself, the configuration files, and additional documentation. If you want the program (package) to be added to the system, proceed as follows (if you have KDE running—for GNOME see below):

  1. Click Software+Software Management to start the YaST package manager.

  2. In the search field enter the name of the software you want to install (for example, jhead, a tool for manipulating JPEG meta data) and press Enter.

  3. The package is listed in the right frame. Select it for installation. Once done, you can search for more packages and select them for installation in one go.

  4. Click Accept.

  5. When all selected packages are installed, YaST asks you whether you want to install or remove additional packages. Press No to close YaST.

With GNOME running, proceed as follows:

  1. Click Software+Software Management to start the YaST package manager.

  2. In the package search field enter the name of the software you want to install (for example, jhead, a tool for manipulating JPEG meta data). Once found, select it in the main pane and click Install.

  3. If wanted you can search for more packages and list them the same way.

  4. Click Apply to install the listed packages.

You can also install software patterns. Patterns are sets consisting of tools for a specific task; for example, there is a pattern for “Technical Writing” that consists of XML tools, special editors, the LaTeX environment, and more. To install a pattern, proceed as follows (if you have KDE running—for GNOME see below):

  1. From the filter list in the upper left corner, select Patterns. Now you see various pattern sets listed in the area below.

  2. From the patterns select one or more patterns you are interested in. If you click on the name of a pattern, for example on Technical Writing, you see the packages it contains, in the right frame. If you activate it, the status markers at the beginning of the line will change: all packages get marked either with the status Keep or Install. The meaning of all the symbols and of font color changes is explained in Help+Symbols.

  3. Click Accept.

With GNOME running, proceed as follows to install a pattern:

  1. From the grouping menu in the upper left corner, select Patterns. Now you see various pattern sets listed in the area below.

  2. From the patterns select one or more patterns you are interested in. If you click on the name of a pattern, for example on Technical Writing, you see the packages it contains, in the right frame. Click Install All to activate it and list the packages for installation.

  3. Click Apply to install the listed packages.

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