As many of you will know In Ubuntu we have several ways to install software in the system the most common method is from repositories officials with the help of the software center, another is with the help of Synaptic and another through the terminal.
If we do not use repositories we can install applications just by looking for the deb package and install it with our favorite manager, but we also have other package formats that have started to become quite popular.
We have Snap, Flatpak and AppImage, in which in this article we will talk a little about the last one mentioned.
For years we have had DEB packages for Debian / Ubuntu based Linux distributions and RPM for Fedora / SUSE based Linux distributions.
This form of distribution makes it easy to install software to the users of the distribution, but it is not a viable option for the developer.
Since the developer you should create a package format for each package system of each distribution, resulting in great work.
This is where the AppImage format comes in.
What is AppImage?
Many of you may wonder what an AppImage is or have you already come across an application in this format.
The AppImage format has a great advantage over traditional packet formats, as it is universal.
Basically it is as if we were talking about a portable application, since the software runs with the AppImage file without performing installations, or file extraction or anything else.
Benefits of using AppImage
The use of software by this means has several benefits, among which we can find:
- Can run on most modern Linux distributions
- It is portable, can be run anywhere, including Live versions
- No need to install and compile software
- No need for root permission system files are not touched
- Applications are in read-only mode.
How is AppImage installed on Ubuntu?
Although the term install is not appropriate for the AppImage format given its characteristics, the software used by this format can be integrated into the system as if it were an installed application in it by creating shortcuts in the application menu or on the desktop.
This makes it easier to run the software since we don't have to waste time going to the place where the application is stored in this format to have it run.
In order to do this in Ubuntu, it is recommended to save the software in this format in a different folder, since generally when we download an application of this type it is saved in the downloads folder or in our personal folder.
Basically to use software in AppImage we must give it execution permissions to the downloaded file, we can do it in two ways:
- The first is to secondary click on the file, go to "Properties> to the Permissions tab" and we must check the box that says "Allow the execution of the file as a program."
- The second method is through the terminal, we must position ourselves on the folder where the file is and we execute the following command to give it execution permissions:
chmod u + x <AppImage File>
How to run AppImage files?
Now with the execution permissions, To open an application in this format we just have to double click on it or from the terminal execute the command:
./aplicacion.AppImage
Once this is done por the first time we will be asked "Install a desktop file". If you select Yes, your AppImage will integrate with your Linux system as a normal installed application.
This is not always, although most applications usually do.
Once this is done, the direct access to it will be integrated.
How to uninstall an AppImage?
To remove software in AppImage format, just delete the file and remove the shortcut from our system and that's it.
Simple, simple Like everything good
Hello I have executed an application .appimage in ubuntu from the downloads folder thinking that it was already installed. I started to configure. It turns out that the application is a node of a vpn on the blockchain and it took hours almost overnight to load and configure it. My question is how you can make a backup without having to close the application. Or if there is any way to install it while it is running. It is possible that I lose all the data if the power goes out or the configurations would remain ???
Interesting, any «. AppImage », works on other operating systems,
for example I want to use an «.AppImage» in FEDORA
??
I have downloaded this application «CinGG-20210930-i386.AppImage» I have given it execution permission and when double clicking on it nothing happens,
I have Ubuntu 18.04 LTS installed and the PC has a 32-bit structure
Description: Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS
Release: 18.04
Codename: bionic
join me -m
i686
Do you know any reason for Cinelerra GG not to open?
I mean the headline is "how to install them" and then it is not explained. It only explains that they can be executed from any folder...
Anyway…
https://github.com/TheAssassin/AppImageLauncher/wiki
That's an appImages launcher. It saves them all in the folder you choose and adds them to the system so you can use them as just another app.
Thank you very much Hache_raw for your help.