How to use the command 'nala' (with examples)

Nala is a front-end package management utility for Linux systems that improves on the traditional command-line interfaces for package management by offering cleaner, more legible output. It is designed to work with the python-apt API, serving as an effective tool for users who want an easier experience managing software packages. Nala not only simplifies package installation, removal, and searching but also assists in optimizing system updates and maintenance tasks. Users of Linux distributions that use DEB packages may find Nala an appealing alternative to other package handling tools due to its enhanced readability and features aimed at improving the overall user experience.

Use case 1: Install a package, or update it to the latest available version

Code:

sudo nala install package

Motivation:

Installing or updating software is a fundamental task on any system. The install command in Nala allows users to either add a new package or update an existing one to the latest version available in the repository. Ensuring software is up-to-date is key to maintaining system stability, security, and enjoying the latest features offered by applications.

Explanation:

• sudo: This runs the command with superuser privileges, necessary for installing software packages.
• nala: The command-line utility being used for package management.
• install: Indicates the operation to perform, which is the installation or updating of a package.
• package: Placeholder for the name of the software package to install or update.

Example output:

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
The following NEW packages will be installed:
  example-package
0 upgraded, 1 newly installed, 0 to remove and 5 not upgraded.
Need to get 1,234 kB of archives.
After this operation, 4,567 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Use case 2: Remove a package

Code:

sudo nala remove package

Motivation:

Removing unnecessary packages helps free up system resources and can make maintaining and troubleshooting the system easier. By deleting packages that are no longer needed, users can reduce the storage space they consume and potentially avoid conflicts or slowdowns caused by redundant software.

Explanation:

• sudo: Executes the command with elevated permissions required for modifying system packages.
• nala: The tool responsible for managing packages.
• remove: Specifies that the desired action is to uninstall a package from the system.
• package: Represents the specific software package to be removed.

Example output:

The following packages will be REMOVED:
  example-package
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 5 not upgraded.
After this operation, 4,567 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Use case 3: Remove a package and its configuration files

Code:

nala purge package

Motivation:

Purging a package is essential when a complete removal of all traces of a software application is required. This command removes not only the package itself but also its configuration files, which might otherwise remain on the system after removal. This is particularly useful when dealing with corrupt configurations or when resetting a software application to its default state before a fresh installation.

Explanation:

• nala: The package management utility in use.
• purge: Indicates that both the package and its configuration files should be deleted.
• package: The software to be purged from the system.

Example output:

The following packages will be REMOVED:
  example-package
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 1 to remove and 5 not upgraded.
After this operation, 4,567 kB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Use case 4: Search package names and descriptions using a word, regex (default) or glob

Code:

nala search "pattern"

Motivation:

Searching for packages is integral to discovering software available for installation. Nala’s search feature allows users to look for packages by name or description using various matching techniques, including regex by default. Whether a user knows the exact package name or is exploring available software by keywords, this search functionality is flexible and comprehensive.

Explanation:

• nala: The package management utility to use.
• search: Denotes the action of looking for packages.
• "pattern": A string representing the search query, which can be a specific term, a regex expression, or a glob pattern.

Example output:

apt-search-example 1.0.2 The example package used for Nala consulting
libexample 3.5.7 Example library providing example features

Use case 5: Update the list of available packages and upgrade the system

Code:

sudo nala upgrade

Motivation:

Regular upgrades are necessary to keep a system secure and up-to-date with new features and security patches. The upgrade command in Nala simplifies this process by first refreshing the list of available packages from repositories and then upgrading all installed packages to the latest versions. This ensures that users benefit from the latest enhancements and security fixes.

Explanation:

• sudo: Runs the command with the necessary administrative privileges for updating the system.
• nala: The package management utility in operation.
• upgrade: Indicates the update and upgrade processes, sequentially refreshing package lists and updating all out-of-date packages.

Example output:

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree... Done
Calculating upgrade... Done
The following packages will be upgraded:
  example-package1 example-package2
2 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 5,678 kB of archives.
After this operation, 0 B of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Use case 6: Remove all unused packages and dependencies from your system

Code:

sudo nala autoremove

Motivation:

Over time, systems accumulate unnecessary packages and dependencies that are no longer in use, often orphaned by the removal of other software. Using the autoremove command helps to clean up the system by automatically identifying and removing these unneeded packages, thus freeing up storage and potentially improving system performance.

Explanation:

• sudo: Ensures executing the command with elevated privileges needed for modifying the package status.
• nala: The package manager executing the clean-up task.
• autoremove: Signals the removal of packages that were installed as dependencies but are no longer needed.

Example output:

The following packages will be REMOVED:
  libcdr-0.1-1 libmspub-0.1-1 libvisio-0.1-1
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 3 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
After this operation, 17.2 MB disk space will be freed.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Use case 7: Fetch fast mirrors to improve download speeds

Code:

sudo nala fetch

Motivation:

Package download speeds can significantly impact the efficiency of installing and updating software. By using fetch, Nala identifies and configures the fastest mirrors available, potentially reducing wait times and improving the overall user experience when downloading packages.

Explanation:

• sudo: Needed to execute commands that alter the system’s repository settings.
• nala: The package management utility interfacing with the repository mirrors.
• fetch: Command that identifies and applies faster repository mirrors.

Example output:

Fetching list of mirrors...
Testing: 15 mirrors
The fastest mirrors have been selected.
Sources list has been updated with the fastest mirrors.

Use case 8: Display the history of all transactions

Code:

nala history

Motivation:

Viewing the history of package management actions can be essential for troubleshooting or auditing what software has been installed or removed at particular times. The history command offers a chronological log of package transactions, providing insights into the changes made to the system’s software environment.

Explanation:

• nala: The package management tool in use.
• history: Command to display a log of past actions taken by Nala related to package management.

Example output:

1. Installed: example-package1 on 2023-01-01
2. Removed: example-package2 on 2023-02-15
3. Upgraded: example-package3 on 2023-03-10

Conclusion

Nala offers a rich set of features that make it a compelling tool for managing packages within Linux environments. With its emphasis on user-friendly output and additional utilities like fetching faster mirrors and handling complete package removals, it simplifies various aspects of software management. Whether installing or removing packages, upgrading the system, or simply checking the history of changes, Nala presents an efficient way to handle these needs.