How To Install Or Remove A Software Package In Arch Linux, Manjaro?


Different Linux distribution comes with different tools to manage software packages on it. Pacman-based Linux distributions such as Arch Linux, Manjaro, etc use the Pacman package manager to install, remove, or manage software packages on them.

In this article, we will discuss installing and removing software packages from the command line in Arch Linux and Manjaro. This also applies to other Pacman based Linux distributions.

Pacman package manager

Pacman is a tool used by Arch Linux and other similar distributions to install, remove, and upgrade the software packages. It uses binary packages in a .tar.xz format with an easy to use build system. Pacman keeps the system up to date by synchronizing the package list with the master server.

How to install a package in Arch Linux, Manjaro

To install a software package in Arch Linux, Manjaro, and other Pacman based Linux distribution you need to execute the following command in your terminal. You can use a single package or a list of packages with the following command –

sudo pacman -S package_name(s)

or

sudo pacman --sync package_name(s)

For example –

sudo pacman -S vlc

The above command will install the package including dependencies. If you want to install multiple software packages in a single command then mention the package name with a single space.

How to remove a package in Arch Linux, Manjaro

Now to remove an installed software package in Arch Linux, Manjaro and other Pacman based Linux distribution you need to execute the following command in the terminal –

sudo pacman -R package_name(s)

or

sudo pacman --remove package_name(s)

This will remove the given package or packages. For example –

sudo pacman -R vlc

Now if you want to remove multiple packages in a single command then use the package name with a single space among them in the above command.

How to update Arch Linux, Manjaro

For the full system update use the following command in the terminal –

sudo pacman -Syu

The following command will refresh the database and synchronize the local database with the remote database.

sudo pacman -Sy

Use the following command if you want to Ignore upgrades to a given package or packages.

sudo pacman -S --ignore package_name(s)

Conclusion

Now by reading this article you are able to install or remove a software package from a Pacman-based Linux distribution. If you have any thoughts on the topic you can share it with us in the comments below.

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