Translations by s.binyamin

<application>Aptitude</application> is another command line front end to <application>apt</application>. <application>Aptitude</application> allows you to interactively choose packages for removal or installation from a list of available packages. <application>Aptitude</application> allows for a more advanced approach and at times a more functional approach to managing applications via the command line.

Although the preferred method of installing programs is via the package managers described in <xref linkend="add-applications"/>, you can also download and install individual package files containing software. There are many different kinds of Linux package files. Most of these are associated with the package managers of specific Linux distributions.

If you find a packaged application that you wish to install, it is recommended that you check if there is a native Kubuntu package of the application available through a package manager, and that you install that version instead. This guarantees that the program is completely compatible with your system. If there is no package available through the package manager, you can install it manually. The installation procedure depends on the type of package file.

The package files associated with Kubuntu have the <emphasis>.deb</emphasis> suffix because of Kubuntu's close relation to the Debian GNU/Linux distribution. You can download and install individual <emphasis>.deb</emphasis> files. You will need administrative privileges to do this.

To install a .deb file, simply <mousebutton>Left</mousebutton> click on the .deb file to initiate the installation process. You will be prompted for your password in order to gain the necessary privileges.