Adding ppa to software source

Many of these programs are stored in software archives commonly referred to as repositories. Repositories make it easy to install new software, while also providing a high level of security, since the software is thoroughly tested and built specifically for each version of Ubuntu. Ubuntu distinguishes between software that is "free" and software that is not free. For details of Ubuntu's Free Software Philosophy please see here. The four main repositories are: Main - Canonical-supported free and open-source software.

Universe - Community-maintained free and open-source software. Restricted - Proprietary drivers for devices. Multiverse - Software restricted by copyright or legal issues. The Ubuntu Install CDs contain software from the "Main" and "Restricted" repositories, so if you have no internet connection you can still install software from the CDs. If you have an internet connection you can install software from any Ubuntu repository.

This page describes how to manage software repositories in Ubuntu. For Kubuntu please see Kubuntu repository management. GUI-based repository management is normally accomplished via "Software Sources". This interface can be accessed via several methods. One method is to go through the "Ubuntu Software Center". Open the software center, then from the Edit menu select "Software Sources".

Note: You will have to enter your password to change settings in this window. If you wish to, you can modify this file directly. For further details please see Managing Repositories from the Command Line. For a detailed description of these repositories, see Repositories.

To disable a repository temporarily, untick the checkbox next to its name. Select "Close" to save your changes. A dialog box should appear, asking whether you'd like to update the list of repositories.

Select "Reload" to update the list. The Close, Reload, and Revert buttons each perform special functions with regard to the repository pages. The 'Close' button must be selected to execute any change s. If the action would change system files, they are written at this time.

Any time a setting is changed which alters a repository setting the 'Reload' button should be selected to allow the applicable repository database to be updated. Repository information will not normally be updated until the 'Reload' button is selected. You need to add more updates frequently. This is where PPA come to the rescue. Quite obviously because it is coming from none other than the project developers. Why would someone do that? Because many developers just provide the source code of the software and you know that installing software from source code in Linux is a pain and not everyone could or would do that.

This is why volunteers take it upon themselves to create a PPA from those source code so that other users can install the software easily. After all, using those 3 lines is a lot easier than battling the source code installation. When it comes to using PPA in Ubuntu or any other Debian based distribution, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Not every PPA is available for your particular version.

You should know which Ubuntu version you are using. The codename of the release is important because when you go to the webpage of a certain PPA, you can see which Ubuntu versions are supported by the PPA. How to know the PPA url? You can also go to Launchpad and search for the required PPA directly there. If you run sudo apt update in the terminal, the error will have more details about which repository is causing the trouble.

You can see something like this in the end of the output of sudo apt update:. Which is self-explanatory because the system cannot find the repository for your version. Remember what we saw earlier about repository structure? And if the PPA for the specific version is not available, it will never be able to open the URL and you get the famous error.

It is because someone has to compile the software and create a PPA out of it on the specific versions. Not all developers have time to do that. It is possible that though the PPA is not available for your Ubuntu version, you could still download the DEB file and install the application. And in here, you can click on a package to reveal more details.

I think you have read enough about adding PPAs. How about removing a PPA and the software installed by it? I have written about deleting PPA in the past. I am going to describe the same methods here as well.

You can install Synaptic in Ubuntu from Software Center or use the command below:. Once installed, start Synaptic package manager and select Origin. Or if you prefer, via the GUI method.

For instance, I wanted to try out a new note application called Papyrus that debuted a couple of days back. The spanking new application was not available in the official repositories. Whichever method you use to remove a PPA, keep in mind that removing a PPA does not remove the packages installed with it. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else. Author Recent Posts. A Linux enthusiast with a focus on enriching the Nigeria Linux experience and keeping a keen eye on Ubuntu and other Foss related developments.

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