Debian, How To, Linux Hacks, News, Ubuntu — December 29, 2011 03:08

How to install or remove PPA in Ubuntu

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The best way to install any PPA in Ubuntu is via the terminal. Yeah, yeah, I know that we live in 21th first century; yet doing this via terminal always does works. After all, the process has been simplified into one single command — that’s all. No Fear! But first, let me ask you WHY should you bother youself about PPA?

Well, the answer is pretty simple if-else statement. If you want to live always in the edge of the latest and fresh software, you have to install the PPA version of your packages, yes Sir. Else, if you ‘re unlucky and things go wrong, just remove the PPA and downgrade your system to the previous version. It’s so simple and safe procedure that you have nothing to worry about.

Installation

  1. Open your terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T)
  2. Install your PPA (aka APT line). Type: 
    sudo add-apt-repository copypaste_here_the_ppa_line
  3. Press <Enter key> in order to apply with all the questions about validating the new PPA and its key
  4. Then, just refresh your package list and upgrade your packages. Type: 
    sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
Install: sudo apt-add-repository ppa:blah-blah

For example, if you want to install the latest version of Wine, Google-for-it and you will probably find the typical launchpad page. In here search for the bold ppa:blah-blah/ppa thing, which in our case is ppa:ubuntu-wine/ppa .  Okay sir, let’s head forward and watch a demonstration video applying to this PPA installation method.

Otherwise, if you insist not using the terminal method, feel free to use graphical interface tools, such as the Software Source.  Firstly open the Software Sources from Dash shell.

Then  and go to the second Tab, called “Other Software” and click Add and then Authorize.

Finally, refresh the system using sudo apt-get update command. Take a look to the following screenshots to grasp better the whole GUI idea.

 

Removing

If you want to remove the PPA for any reason, please use the same procedure via terminal.

  • Open your Terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T)
  • Remove your PPA. Type: sudo apt-add-repository -r ppa:blah-blah/ppa
  • Refresh the system and downgrade the packages (if any). Type: sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
Remove: sudo apt-add-repository -r ppa:blah-blah

Otherwise, feel free to use graphical interface tools, such as Software Source. Open Software Sources from Dash shell, and go to the second Tab, called Other Software and click Remove. After that, refresh the system using sudo apt-get update.

 

Purge

Now let’s make up the worst case scenario supposing that your system’s sources are all messed up and all you want is to revert back to the previous version. There is a program which does this kind of magic, called PPA-Purge. This program disables a PPA from your Software Sources and reverts your system back to the official Ubuntu packages. You can use this to return your system to normal after testing a new version from a PPA.

Purge:sudo ppa-purge blah-blah

  • sudo apt-get install ppa-purge
  • sudo ppa-purge copypaste_the_name_of_ppa

For example:

sudo ppa-purge xorg-edgers

 

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Author: Panos is Editor in Chief of OSArena.org. He has wide expertise in electronics, computer engineering, systems engineering and mechatronics as Automation engineer. In the past he worked in many famous IT websites, such as Guru3D, VR-Zone and others. He likes Metallica and drinking beer.