29/07/2024, 18:32 How to install tarball (.
tar) files in linux - DEV Community
Arbitrary
Posted on 19 Dec 2021 • Updated on 22 Dec 2021
14 2
How to install tarball (.tar) files in linux
#linux #ubuntu #tutorial #tar
Does it happen to you that you that whenever you want to install a piece of software
you're give either a .deb file or a .tar file. Installing .deb files is easy, it's just like
how you do in windows, but .tar files are a pain specially for beginners.
In this simple tutorial we'll learn how to download and install .tar file. I'll use Ubuntu
but it should work in most Linux distros. I'll install *waterfox web browser * but the
process is similar for all the tarball (.tar) installation files.
tldr;
1. download the tar file
2. extract it to some location
3. create a desktop entry for running the application
Detailed method
Step 1 :download the .tar file and then move it to the directory
where you want to install it.
After downloading the file open the terminal in current directory to move the file to
/opt directory using the following command.
you can change the filename and target directory accordingly.
sudo mv [Link]-x86_64.tar.bz2 /opt
Step 2: Extract the .tar file
first goto the directory where you moved the .tar file.
cd /opt/
To extract the .tar file present in the current directory to use the following command
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29/07/2024, 18:32 How to install tarball (.tar) files in linux - DEV Community
sudo tar xjf [Link]-x86_64.tar.bz2
you can replace the .tar filename i.e. [Link]-
x86_64.tar.bz2 as per your filename.
Step 3: Create desktop entry with appropriate permissions
make yourself owner of the extracted repository
sudo chown -R $USER /opt/waterfox
Create a desktop entry so that you don't need to come to this directory to launch the
application.
run the following command
gedit ~/.local/share/applications/[Link]
it'll open gedit text editor where you need to insert the specifications of the desktop
entry.
paste the following in the editor and save.
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Waterfox
Exec=/opt/waterfox/waterfox %u
Terminal=false
Icon=/opt/waterfox/browser/chrome/icons/default/[Link]
Type=Application
Categories=Application;Network;X-Developer;
Again, change the various parameters and paths according to your setup.
The path can be directly under the first directory or inside bin directory, make sure
you specify correct path.
Desktop entry has many parameters but only a few are required but you should add
at least these. You can read more at Desktop Entry Standard
Finally you need to make your desktop entry executable using the following
command.
chmod +x ~/.local/share/applications/[Link]
you can change the name of desktop entry accordingly.
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29/07/2024, 18:32 How to install tarball (.tar) files in linux - DEV Community
finally you can remove the .tar file using the following command
sudo rm -rf waterfox*.tar.bz2
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Top comments (2)
Sall • 20 Dec 21
Nice. Simple, but really useful. I always struggle to write descriptions like this
in my projects :)
Arbitrary • 19 Dec 21
If you like the post, don't forget to save it for future reference. Also share it
with your dev groups. Thanks :)
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Arbitrary
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