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. Each package contains the program itself, the configuration files, and additional documentation. You can also install software patterns. If you want the program (package) to be added to the system, proceed as follows (if you have KDE running—for GNOME see below):

Procedure 3.1. Installing Single Software Packages under KDE

  1. Start YaST and click Software+Software Management to start the package manager.

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

    If you do not now the package name of the desired software, the RPM Groups view may help. The software packages are sorted by functionality in this view. jhead, for example, can be found under Productivity+Graphics.

  3. The packages found are listed in the right pane. Select a package for installation by right clicking it and choosing Install. If this option is not available, the package is either already installed or marked as taboo. The package status is indicated by the symbol in front of the package name—hit Shift+F1 for help.

  4. In order to select more packages, repeat the steps mentioned above. Once you are finished click Accept to start the installation.

  5. Certain packages are dependent on other packages, such as shared libraries. YaST automatically resolves these dependencies. In this case, a list of additional packages that have automatically been chosen for installation is presented. Accept them by clicking Continue.

    On the other hand, some packages cannot co-exist with others on the system. In this case a list of packages that have automatically been chosen for deletion is presented. Accept them by clicking Continue.

    If your choice results in a dependency conflict that cannot be automatically solved, you need to manually solve these conflicts as described in Section “Checking Software Dependencies” (Chapter 3, Installing or Removing Software, ↑Reference).

  6. Once all selected packages are installed, the YaST package manager automatically terminates.

Procedure 3.2. Installing Single Software Packages under GNOME

  1. Start YaST and click Software+Software Management to start the package manager.

  2. From the grouping menu in the upper left corner, select Groups. Choose All Packages from the left pane. Enter the name of the software you want to install in the search field (for example, jhead, a tool for manipulating JPEG meta data).

  3. Right-click the package you want to install in the main pane and click Install.

  4. In order to select more packages, repeat the previous steps. Once you are finished click Apply twice to start the installation.

  5. Certain packages are dependent on other packages, such as shared libraries. YaST automatically resolves these dependencies. In this case, a list of additional packages that have automatically been chosen for installation is presented in the Summary Of Changes window. Accept them by clicking Apply.

    On the other hand, some packages cannot co-exist with others on the system. In this case a list of packages that have automatically been chosen for deletion is presented. Accept them by clicking Apply.

    If your choice results in a dependency conflict that cannot be automatically solved, you will need to manually solve these conflicts as described in Section “Checking Software Dependencies” (Chapter 3, Installing or Removing Software, ↑Reference).

You can also install software patterns. Patterns are a set of packages 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):

Procedure 3.3. Installing Software Patterns under KDE

  1. Start YaST and click Software+Software Management to start the YaST package manager.

  2. From the View button in the upper left corner, select Patterns. Now you see various pattern sets listed in the left pane.

  3. Click on a pattern name for a list of all packages included in the pattern. Choose one or more patterns for installation by clicking the checkbox on front of the pattern's name.

  4. Click Accept to proceed.

  5. Confirm the automatic changes that were made to resolve dependencies with Continue.

Procedure 3.4. Installing Software Patterns under GNOME

  1. Start YaST and click Software+Software Management to start the package manager.

  2. From the grouping menu in the upper left corner, select Patterns. Now you see various pattern sets listed in the left pane.

  3. Clicking on a pattern's name, for example on Technical Writing, opens the list of packages it contains in the right pane. To install the pattern, right-click on the pattern's name and choose Install. Add or deselect single packages in the right pane.

  4. Click Apply to install the listed packages.

Removing Software

If you want to remove software from the system, proceed as follows if you have KDE running (for GNOME see below):

Procedure 3.5. Removing Software under KDE

  1. Start YaST and click Software+Software Management to start the package manager.

  2. Search for single packages as described in Section 3.1, “Installing Software”.

  3. Mark packages for deletion by right-clicking them and choosing Delete.

  4. Click Accept to proceed.

  5. If you have chosen to delete a package on which other packages are dependent, your choice results in a dependency conflict that cannot be automatically solved. In this case, it is recommended to not delete the package. You can try to manually solve this conflict as described in Section “Checking Software Dependencies” (Chapter 3, Installing or Removing Software, ↑Reference), but be aware that each change you make may lead to other conflicts. To discard all changes you made, click Cancel two times and then Abandon.

With GNOME running, proceed as follows:

  1. Start YaST and click Software+Software Management to start the package manager.

  2. From the grouping menu in the upper left corner, select Groups. From the left pane choose All Packages from the top list and Installed from the bottom list. Search for single packages as described in Section 3.1, “Installing Software”.

  3. Right-click the package you want to remove in the main pane and click Remove.

  4. In order to select more packages, repeat the previous steps. Once you are finished click Apply to start the removal.

  5. If you have chosen to delete a package on which other packages are dependent, your choice results in a dependency conflict that cannot be automatically solved. In this case, it is recommended to not delete the package. You can try to manually solve this conflict as described in Section “Checking Software Dependencies” (Chapter 3, Installing or Removing Software, ↑Reference), but be aware that each change you make may lead to other conflicts. To discard all changes you made, click Undo in the bottom status line.

Keeping the System Up-to-date

openSUSE offers a continuous stream of software security patches for your product. The update applet informs you about the availability of patches and lets you easily install them with just a few clicks.

Using the KDE Updater Applet

The openSUSE community also provides updates to newer versions of software packages. The updater applet optionally keeps a list of all programs installed on your system and informs you whenever newer versions are available. The updater can also search for and install new drivers when new hardware is attached.

[Note]Patches vs. New Versions

The patches offered by openSUSE either fix security holes or serious errors in the software. A patch normally does not upgrade to a newer version and does not offer additional functionality. A new program version offered by the community may offer fixes, too, but primarily adds new functionality.

The updater applet resides in the system tray of your panel depicting the head of the SUSE mascot (Geeko), which changes depending on the availability and relevance of patches and the status of the updater. Whenever the icon changes, a tool tip displays the current status. The applet is started by default. To start it manually, choose Applications+System+Desktop Applet+Online Update Applet from the main menu. Alternatively, press Alt+F2 and enter kupdateapplet.

The updater icon shows the following states:

Green Geeko Head with Green Arrows

No patches available. When new versions are available, a tool tip appears when the mouse is moved over the icon.

Green Geeko Head with Yellow Arrows

The updater applet is busy (for example checking for updates, installing software).

Red Triangle with Exclamation Mark

Security patches available.

Orange Star with Arrow

Recommended patches are available.

Blue square with Arrow

Optional patches are available.

Yellow Triangle with Exclamation Mark

An error has occurred.

Blue Circle with Question Mark

No update repository is defined. When you click the updater applet in this state, you are asked if you want to check for updates. If you agree, the YaST Online Update Configuration module is started.

Installing Patches

The Online Update Applet offers two modes for installing patches: the simple installation mode will automatically install all security and recommended patches, while the detailed mode lets you choose which patches to install.

Procedure 3.6. Installing Patches: Simple Mode

  1. Whenever the update applet shows the availability of patches, left-click to open the software installation window.

  2. Choose whether to skip the installation of patches that are recommended and those that require a restart. It is recommended to install both.

  3. Click Install to start the patch installation.

  4. In case you have started the patch installation for the first time, you will be asked to enter the root password in order to proceed. If you also check Remember authorization you will never be asked again to provide the password.

  5. You can monitor the installation status by hovering the mouse over the update applet icon.

Figure 3.1. KDE Updater Applet: Simple Update View

KDE Updater Applet: Simple Update View

Procedure 3.7. Installing Patches: Detailed Mode

  1. Whenever the update applet shows the availability of patches, left-click to open the software installation window.

  2. Click Details to make the updater show a detailed list of all patches, including the package name, the repository where the package comes from and whether a reboot is needed after installation or not.

  3. Click on a patch name for more information. Select or de-select a patch by clicking its checkbox. By default, security and recommended patches are pre-selected.

  4. Click Install to start the patch installation.

  5. In case you have started the patch installation for the first time, you will be asked to enter the root password in order to proceed. If you also check Remember authorization you will never be asked again to provide the password.

  6. The updater performs the installation of the patches. You can monitor the installation status by hovering the mouse over the update applet icon. See the system tray for status messages and a progress meter.

Figure 3.2. KDE Updater Applet: Detailed Update View

KDE Updater Applet: Detailed Update View

Installing New Software Versions

New software versions are available from software repositories provided by the openSUSE community. By default, no such repositories are preconfigured. To add a repository, right-click on the updater icon and choose Add/Remove Update Sources. You need to enter the root password to start the Configured Software Repositories module. A list from which you can choose popular community repositories is already preconfigured (Add+Community Repositories). For even more community repositories refer to http://en.opensuse.org/Additional_YaST_Package_Repositories.

[Warning]Trusting External Software Sources

Before adding external software repositories to your list of repositories make sure this repository can be trusted. openSUSE is not responsible for any potential problems arising from software installed from third party software repositories.

The updater applet does not monitor repositories for new software versions by default. To enable this feature, open the configuration window as described in Section 3.3.1.3, “Configuring the Updater Applet” and activate the check box Show Available Upgrades When Back-End Provides Them. When the updater icon indicates the availability of updates, click on the icon to launch the software installation window. Click on Details and then on the Upgrade tab to open the list with new software versions. Either select single packages by activating the box in front of an entry, or click Select All Packages. Install starts the installation of the selected software packages. You will be prompted for the root password. See the system tray for status messages and a progress meter.

[Note]The YaST Online Update

The YaST Online Update offers advanced features to customize the installation of software updates. Please refer to Chapter YaST Online Update (↑Reference) for more information.

Configuring the Updater Applet

By default the updater is started on login, checks for updates every 24 hours, shows recurring notifications every 60 minutes and monitors the availability of patches. To change this behavior, right-click the applet icon and choose Configure Applet.

Figure 3.3. KDE Updater Applet: Configuration

KDE Updater Applet: Configuration

The configuration dialog also offers to change the following settings:

Check for Updates Every

Choose the interval between checks for updates in hours.

Show Recurring Notification...

Choose the interval between notifications in minutes.

Automatically Start Updater on Login

Start the applet automatically when the user logs in. Active by default.

Back-End

Choose between different back-ends. The Package Kit Plugin is used by default. If you prefer the ZYpp Plugin, make sure to install the package kupdateapplet-zypp.

Always Show Detailed View

Activate this option when you prefer the detailed patch view that lists all patches available with short summaries rather than the simple view.

Check for Updates only When System Is Connected to Charger

Prohibits checking for updates when running on batteries in order to save power. This option is activated by default but only affects mobile computers.

Check for Updates only When System Is under Low Load

Prohibits checking for updates when the system is under heavy load. This option is activated by default.

Search for Drivers When New Hardware is Attached

Provided a repository offering appropriate drivers, the updater can automatically install drivers for hardware such as USB devices.

Using the GNOME Update Applet

The update applet resides in the notification area of the panel. Its icon changes depending on the availability and relevance of patches and the status of the update. To invoke the applet manually, choose Computer+More Applications+System+Software Update.

[Note]Icon visibility

By default, the update applet icon is only visible in the notification area, if patches are available.

Open box with a globe

The update is busy (for example checking for updates or installing software).

Red Star with Exclamation Mark

Security patches are available.

Orange Star with an Up Arrow

Important patches are available.

Yellow Star with a Down Arrow

Trivial patches are available.

Yellow Triangle with Exclamation Mark

An error has occurred.

Installing Software Updates

  1. Whenever software updates are available, the applet icon appears in the panel.

  2. Click on the applet icon to start the Software Update applet.

  3. It is safe to install all preselected software updates in one go. If you have special demands, you can modify the preselected set by changing the state of the check boxes in the Install column.

    Click Install Updates.

Figure 3.4. GNOME Software Update: Detailed Update View

GNOME Software Update: Detailed Update View

You will be prompted for the root password after having proceeded with Install Updates. The update applet performs the installation of the software updates. After having finished the installation, choose whether to Install More Updates or Close the Software Update applet.

[Note]The YaST Online Update

The YaST Online Update offers advanced features to customize the installation of software updates. Please refer to Chapter YaST Online Update (↑Reference) for more information.

Configuring the Software Update Applet

To configure the update applet, right-click the update icon in the panel and choose Preferences. The configuration dialog lets you modify the following settings:

Check for Updates

Choose how often a check for updates is performed: Hourly, Daily, Weekly, or Never.

Automatically Install

Configure whether patches are installed automatically or not (default). Automatic installation can be chosen for either security patches only or for all patches.

Figure 3.5. GNOME Update Applet: Configuration

GNOME Update Applet: Configuration

More options are configurable using gconf-editor: apps+gnome-packagekit.