【 Linux repositories 】What are they? + How They Work ▷ 2022

For many users, especially the newer ones on the subject ofit is difficult to handle certain aspects of the operating system, such as the installation of new software since in many cases they do not know where to look for it.

For this reason, all linux distributions have online application repositories called repositorieswhich are packed with applications optimized for each distribution, and have simple and safe download and installation methods.

in the next few paragraphs we will teach you step by step how to access these repositories and navigate through them to obtain the necessary applications for the use that you want to give to your Linux terminal.

What are repositories and what are these servers for in Linux?

In its simplest concept, A repository is a system accessible through the Internet that hosts hundreds of software designed to work generally with all Linux distributions, or with a specific distribution. Each Linux distribution has its own repository groupin which we can find large amounts of programs that we can download and install on our computer.

In addition to the repositories of each distro, We also have the possibility of installing and using third-party repositories with more updated versions of some software that we are using, or that has not been added to the distro’s repository. Although these software repositories contain all the programs we could ever need, Linux requires the use of a package managerwhich will allow us to install the downloaded applications.

How do repositories work and what are the main uses for them?

The thing to understand about repositories is that they contain not only the programs needed by the operating system, but also manage the additional information necessary for them to work. The main use of these files is to provide the user with access to the applications and programs necessary to perform on their computer, through a secure channel with a guarantee of compatibility and operation, in the case of the native repositories of each distribution.

These pre-installed repositories are managed by two large groups: the community of and the staff creating and managing the distribution, so that the packages that enter these repositories are tested and are completely safe and compatible. Even in the case of third-party repositoriesall programs that are added to a repository go through a long and rigorous testing process before being approvedso a repository is a safe source from which to obtain a program.

In addition to that, they greatly facilitate the process of updating programs, since, in general, repositories notify when the update of an installed program is released, so we can easily acquire the new version through our package manager. Compared to operating systems other than Linux, repositories have a unique disadvantage, and that is that in order to install a program or update the operating system, it is necessary to be connected to the internet.

This is so because, although many actions can be performed offline, to install a new program it is necessary to download all of its dependencies, and this can take a very long time. This could well be considered a minor inconvenience, since there are few places where there is no internet connection, but for some users this can still represent a problem, although it is one that would disappear completely if the use of repositories such as Snap either Flatpack.

We teach you how to add repositories in Linux Debian easily like an expert

Debian It is one of the oldest Linux distributions, and it still continues firmly as one of the best, since, in addition to being constantly updatedhas served as the basis for many other distributions. All Debian-based distros, and Debian itself, manage installed programs via Advanced Package Tool (APT).

A package manager that checks programs and their dependencies before installing it. This distribution has several repositories, but there is always the possibility that the program we are looking for is not found in any of them.

For these cases, we will have to install our own repositories, and there are two methods to do it in Debian:

from the shell

To add repositories with this method, all you have to do is add the codes of the desired repositories to the list which we will see in the location /etc/apt/sources.list.

Where each element is made up of package type, web address, distribution and sections, organized as follows:

• deb .

With this in mind, here are the steps required to add repositories in Debian using the shell:

• enter the list of repositories located in /etc/apt/sources.list with a text editor. You can access it from the terminal using the Nano-editor.
• Write a new item in the list describing the repositories with the syntax we saw earlier. For example deb http://deb.debian.org/debian stretch wine.
• Guard the document and restart the computer.

Once the computer starts again, we will have the new repository ready to download and install the software we need. You can perform this process several times to add new repositories.

From the package manager

This method it mixes a bit with the previous onesince you will need the repository format to be able to add it.

For this method, it will only be necessary to enter the Linux settings and open the package manager, in this way:

• Find the app from the Debian search bar and open it.
• Follow the path Settings > Repositories.
• In this sectionChoose “other software”and press “Add” to add the new file
• Enter the source of the repository following the format of the first method, and then press “add source”

If everything was done correctly, the new repository will be installed and ready to use. You will be able to continue to install repositories and plugin with Debian’s to gain access to a wide variety of packages.