If you're using Linux, installing apps works a bit differently: Here's how to get software packages installed on Linux, and the key terms you need to know.

Debian packages, with the .deb file extension, are archives that contain compiled binaries, configuration files, and installation scripts. Understanding the internal structure of these packages is ...

Pacifist lets you examine, and even extract files from, installer packages and file archives. It also provides a number of troubleshooting tools.

The package has dependencies, so your Linux system may have to install other packages with specific versions of libraries to support a Deb file. Snaps are different, and more self-contained.

Use these commands to get insights on repositories that contain OS updates and applications and how that information is stored on your Linux system.

The popular desktop Linux distribution, Linux Mint, wants nothing to do with Ubuntu's Snap software installation system.