AppImage is an application packaging format designed for Linux that allows users to download, upgrade and launch a single package file which contains everything needed to run the program. This means you can easily install software from anywhere on your system without having to first download anything or enter any lengthy commands into the terminal.
The “appimagelauncher ubuntu” is a tool that allows you to create and launch software as an AppImage on Ubuntu. This article will help you get started using the appimagelauncher.
Have you ever run into dependency hell when installing Linux software? Root rights are typically required to install dependencies, which not everyone possesses. If only there was a method to install software without worrying about dependencies being absent or broken. Yes, indeed! On Ubuntu, it’s known as AppImage.
You’re in luck since this guide will teach you how to utilize AppImage on Ubuntu and how this application format allows you to execute Linux software from anywhere. You’ll learn how to locate, install, run, and uninstall AppImage packages on Ubuntu, as well as other Linux distributions.
Prerequisites
If you want to follow along with the examples in this article, you’ll need a computer with a Linux operating system. This guide will utilize an Ubuntu 20.04 LTS PC, however other distros such as Fedora, Debian, or openSUSE may also be used.
Related: [Step-by-Step] How to Install Ubuntu 20.04
What exactly is AppImage?
AppImage is an open-source, universal software package format that allows developers to package and market software that already has all of the necessary needs to execute. Authors and developers may distribute software to Linux users in a single file using the AppImage format.
Consider an AppImage package to be the Linux equivalent of a portable Windows program. You can run AppImages on most (if not all) Linux distributions without installing any additional requirements. You just need the underlying operating system, and AppImage will take care of the rest.
While AppImage on Ubuntu is handy, installing and executing rogue AppImage programs poses a serious security risk. A hostile actor might alter the package, repackage it, and then execute it unintentionally by a root user, causing harm.
Using Ubuntu AppImage
With only a few steps, you can get started Using Ubuntu AppImage. You’ll only need to:
- Download the AppImage file you need.
- Create an executable file.
- Start the AppImage program.
What do you think? Nothing is too much for you.
Obtaining a Package of AppImages
Where can I locate AppImage applications? You may find them mostly on the AppImageHub website. According to that site, there is now 1,026 software in AppImage format.
AppImage files are also hosted by other online software shops, such as Pling.
To illustrate, download Atom, a popular, free, cross-platform text editor, using the instructions below.
1. Open your preferred web browser and go to https://www.appimagehub.com/browse to access the AppImageHub collection.
2. Type Atom into the search box at the top of the page and hit Enter. When the search returns results, click the item that looks like the picture below.
AppImage package location
3. Click the Download button on the download page, then choose the AppImage file to download.
The AppImage file is being downloaded.
4. Click Save File to confirm the download and wait for the download prompt to finish.
Confirming the AppImage file’s saving
Running the Software and Creating an executable AppImage file (GUI)
The AppImage file you downloaded is not an executable file by default. Before you can start AppImages, you must first make the file executable. Don’t worry; making a file executable and running it does not need root permissions.
Follow the procedures below to make the file executable.
1. Open your computer’s file explorer and look for the AppImage file you downloaded. The Downloads folder beneath your profile is the default download location in Ubuntu.
2. Next, right-click the AppImage file and choose Properties from the context menu.
Changing the attributes of the AppImage file
3. Click the Permissions tab in the Properties window, check the Allow running file as program box, and then click the exit (X) button to dismiss.
Creating an executable AppImage file
4. To execute the program, double-click on the AppImage file.
Open the terminal and type the command below if you prefer the command line to the GUI for making a file executable. In Linux, the chmod command is used to modify the mode of a file. The following command assumes the AppImage file is located in the /Downloads folder.
/Downloads/Atom-0-Build7.2.glibc2.17-x86 64.AppImage chmod a+x
Related:A Windows Guy in A Linux World – User & File Permissions
Because AppImage packages differ from standard Linux software, the standard update procedure may not apply. If the program has been updated, you’ll need to wait for the AppImage package to be released.
Ubuntu AppImage Management
So you’ve downloaded and installed the AppImage program. However, keep in mind that the program you downloaded is in the Downloads folder, which may soon get congested. What if you no longer need the software?
Changing the AppImage’s Location
You may relocate your AppImage files to a different directory if you wish to arrange them so they don’t get buried in a pile of other files. Changing the AppImage file’s location has no effect on anything else on the system or the software’s usefulness since you did not install it.
Move the Atom AppImage file from the Downloads folder, for example, to a subdirectory in your home folder called /.local/bin/. However, you are free to relocate the file to any place where you have access.
1. If you haven’t already, open a terminal window.
2. In the terminal, use the mv command. This command copies the AppImage file from /Downloads to /.local/bin while keeping the filename the same.
# mv /Downloads/Atom-0-Build7.2.glibc2.17-x86 64.AppImage /.local/bin # Move the AppImage file from /Downloads to /.local/bin # List the contents of the ls /.local/bin directory. /.local/bin ls
Changing the AppImage file’s location
3. Finally, use the ln command to establish a symbolic link to the AppImage file on your Desktop. If you don’t want to keep accessing the AppImage file every time you want to execute it, skip this step.
ls -s is the syntax. [Application Image File] [Name of Shortcut] ln -s /Desktop/Atom-0-Build7.2.glibc2.17-x86 64.AppImage /.local/bin/Atom-0-Build7.2.glibc2.17-x86 64.AppImage
On the Desktop, create a shortcut to the AppImage file.
You may design a Desktop Launcher instead if you like unique icons for your AppImage shortcuts.
Delete the AppImage
When you no longer need a piece of software, you must normally use an uninstall command to remove it from your Linux machine. However, this is not the case with AppImage.
Delete an AppImage in the same way you would any other file. Locate the AppImage program you wish to get rid of, then right-click the AppImage file and choose Move to Trash.
AppImage package deletion
Finally, erase any shortcuts or Desktop launchers you made.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Directories and Files in Linux
Conclusion
AppImage enables you to execute applications without having to worry about missing dependencies on your Linux PC. Because AppImages are portable, moving them from one machine to another is simple. You simply need to copy and transfer AppImage files to a USB flash drive.
AppImage on Ubuntu provides ease to your Linux experience, but it also comes with hazards. Always be cautious about where you download AppImage formatted apps and only utilize reliable sources.
Have you tried Snapd in Ubuntu or flatpak instead of AppImage? If so, which do you believe is the most effective? You should also try the AppImageLauncher, which allows AppImage to be launched from the desktop on Ubuntu.
The “appimage download” is a command-line tool that allows users to create and manage software packages using the AppImage format. It is an open source project.
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