Installing additional software

[bigpup]

This is a topic on generally adding software to Puppy Linux.
Because there are so many versions of Puppy Linux, it has to be a general info topic.

Welcome to Linux software!
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Basic info on installing additional programs.

First, understand that programs are compiled to run in a specific version of Linux, Puppy, or some other Linux OS.
They may or may not work in something they were not compiled specifically to run in.
Usually a specific Linux OS has a repository of programs compiled for it.
Some software is compiled to work in as many different Linux OS as possible or may be offered as several different packages, each one for a different Linux OS.

Most programs offer the source code, so you can compile it yourself for whatever Linux OS you use.
But that is really rarely needed. So forget that for now.

Puppy Package Manager (PPM), that is installed with the version of Puppy Linux you have, is the first place to get new programs.
This applies to Software from repositories for that specific Puppy version.
It will open, showing programs that are known to work on your version of Puppy. (if looking at the specific Puppy repository)
It also tries to find all needed dependencies.

1. Run Puppy Package Manager.
2. Left mouse click on a listed program.
3. Follow install directions
4. Program installs.

PPM does need to be updated, at times, to know about stuff added to or updated in the repositories.
PPM>Configure>Update Database does this.

Note:
PPM does offer software from non Puppy repositories.
That software was not compiled specifically for Puppy Linux.
However, the other Linux OS, is using the same core Linux files and programs. So good chance it will work in the specific Puppy version using the same core Linux stuff.
PPM tries to get everything needed, but sometimes the needed stuff is not there.
Why?
Because, the Linux OS, it was compiled for, already has the dependencies, so those are not in the repository.
However, usually you can get stuff working with a little digging.

Sorry, but PPM is limited when using non Puppy repositories.

Puppy main program packaging method is pet package.
But it can use other types of packages.

Additional Software (PETs, n' stuff) section of this forum is the next best place to look.
However, you must keep in mind, that you will find programs, that where originally compiled under a specific version of Puppy, and they may or may not work, with your version.
General rule, is to read the posting for the program pet and see if there is any info, that would indicate what version of Puppy, it will work under.
Most of the stuff, will work on a large portion of Puppies, but not 100% guaranteed.
You may find more then one version of a program. Sometimes that makes a difference.

1. Find a program you want.
2. Open the program topic.
3. find the link for downloading the program pet.
4. Left mouse click on the link
5. Select to save to location you can find it.
6. install by locating the pet file in Rox-Filer (file manager) and left click on it.

Installing from a .deb package
New or newest versions of Puppy can install programs that are packaged as deb packages.
They install the same way a pet package does.
Download.
Left click on it to install.

The big problem with these Deb packages.
They may not have everything needed and the Puppy version may not have the needed dependency files/programs.
Some Deb packaged programs just work.
Others need a lot of searching for missing stuff.
you should be using deb packages from a version of linux with similar versions of the base system libraries (e.g. glibc and ncurses). Otherwise the package you install might require newer libraries than are on your system.
The Check Dependencies Installed Packages program can help to figure out what is needed.

APT and Synaptic(GUI) package manager
This is now being available in very new Puppy versions to install additional software.
It is using repositories for the software packages, that were compiled for the compatible (to the Puppy version) Linux OS.
A lot of the software will download, install, and run, but some will have problems.
Mainly the needed dependency files/programs are not found and installed. They may not be in the repository.
APT usually gives you information on what is needed, but not downloaded and installed.
You may need to find what is missing and go to the Internet, find it, download, and install.

SFS packages are another option for adding programs to Puppy.

Note:
Puppy needs to be a live or frugal install to take advantage of the benefits of SFS packages.

A way to use a program and not actually install it.
SFS packages you load or unload into the file system, but not actually install.
As long as they are loaded.
They will act as if they are installed.
Unload and it is no longer seen by the file system.
Have to use them to really understand.

The program SFS Load or SFS-load-on-the-fly is used to load and unload SFS packages.
They have a help that will give you more information.

Also if you are using Rox file manager.
You can left click on the program sfs package file and select install to load it.
If the sfs is already loaded. Left clicking on it will offer to uninstall, which will unload it.
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[williwaw]

good topic. thanks

They may not have everything needed and the Puppy version may not have the needed dependency

so after having installed something and it wont run, where do you start troubleshooting whats needed?

[rockedge]

first trick is to try to run the program from a terminal which will report (in most cases) the errors and missing lib's. These will help immensely to troubleshoot. The next step would be to use the dependency checker program provided in most Puppy's.

Most of the time just starting the program in a terminal will give important clues. With some experience after a while, the error messages will make more sense. Then track down the lib's needed with the search function of the PPM or Pkg.

[bigpup]

This usually helps when trying to use a deb package.
Example:
Fossapup64 9.5 has similar dependency files and programs to what are in Ubuntu Focal fossa 20.4
A lot of deb packages are out there compiled for Ubuntu and it's versions.
So pick the deb package that was compiled for Ubuntu focal Fossa or a Ubuntu version close to it.
Actually that is what PPM is getting from the Ubuntu focal repositories.

Even deb packages, compiled for Debian Linux, will work, if you get one compiled for a Debian version developed close to the same time, as the Puppy version was developed.

A little common sense does have to be used.