Ubuntu Software Center - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Ubuntu Software Center is a computer program

Computer program

A computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...

for browsing, installing and removing software on the Ubuntu operating system

Ubuntu (operating system)

Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...

. Based upon the GNOME

GNOME

GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...

application, gnome-app-install, which is similar in function and appearance, it serves as a GTK+

GTK+

GTK+ is a cross-platform widget toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces. It is licensed under the terms of the GNU LGPL, allowing both free and proprietary software to use it. It is one of the most popular toolkits for the X Window System, along with Qt.The name GTK+ originates from GTK;...

graphical user interface

Graphical user interface

In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...

front-end to the Advanced Packaging Tool

Advanced Packaging Tool

The Advanced Packaging Tool, or APT, is a free user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution and its variants...

, part of the Debian

Debian

Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...

package management system. Ubuntu Software Center can also be used to add repositories

Software repository

A software repository is a storage location from which software packages may be retrieved and installed on a computer.- Discussion :Many software publishers and other organizations maintain servers on the Internet for this purpose, either free of charge or for a subscription fee...

. It is written in the Python programming language

Python (programming language)

Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...

Development history

In early 2009 Ubuntu developers noted that package management within Ubuntu could be improved and consolidated. Recent releases of Ubuntu, such as Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) included five applications for package management which consume space and other resources as well as provide confusion to users. Applications can be downloaded using the basic Add/Remove Applications or with the Synaptic Package Manager

Synaptic Package Manager

Synaptic is a computer program which is a GTK+ graphical user interface front-end to the Advanced Packaging Tool for the Debian package management system. Synaptic is usually used on systems based on deb packages but can also be used on systems based on RPM packages...

. The Update Manager

Update Manager

Update Manager is a program that updates all installed software and their associated packages, with important software updates for security or recommended patches. It also informs users when updates are available, listing them in alphabetical orders so that users can choose which updates to...

provides updating for installed packages and Computer Janitor cleans up packages that are no longer needed. The Software Sources application allows user selection of the package download location.

Ubuntu developers set as a goal:
Canonical introduced the Software Center gradually starting with Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) with complete functionality expected by Ubuntu 11.10, in October 2011. As of May 2011, the plan has mostly been completed:

October 2009 - version 1.0.2 shipped with Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala)

Introduced a new simple interface for locating, installing, and removing software, with better security based on PolicyKit

PolicyKit

PolicyKit is an operating system component for controlling system-wide privileges in Unix-like operating systems. It provides an organized way for non-privileged processes to communicate with privileged ones. In contrast to systems such as sudo, it does not grant root permission to an entire...

instead of gksudo.

April 2010 - version 2.0.2 shipped with Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) LTS

The Software Center added lists of non-application packages in a simplified manner and also provide subcategories for applications and Personal Package Archive

Personal Package Archive

A Personal Package Archive is a special software repository for uploading source packages to be built and published as an APT repository by Launchpad or similar application. The term is currently used for Ubuntu packages, but targets "Everyone" according to Launchpad host, Canonical Ltd....

October 2010 - version 3.0.4 shipped with Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat)

Allowed users to purchase software and showed a history of past installations, removals and purchases, including undoing specific changes.

April 2011 - version 4.0 shipped with Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal)

Added user rating and reviewing software, and the ability to see ratings and reviews of other participating Ubuntu users.

October 2011 - Ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot)

This version is expected to allow donations for non-commercial software projects. Design improvements planned for this version include faster start-up times, larger icons, Unity Launcher integration, sorting by ratings and system requirements for applications.Some GDebi

Gdebi

GDebi is a tool that can install .deb packages. It is available with a graphical interface, but also has a command line option. It is updated by using Update Manager....

technology was also integrated to improve speed when handling .deb files.

Release history

The application was initially known as Ubuntu Software Store. The initial version (0.1) was released on 21 August 2009. The package was renamed the Ubuntu Software Center in version 0.4.0 on 25 September 2009 following a discussion with Ubuntu community members. In most English-speaking countries outside the USA it is known as the Ubuntu Software Centre.

External links

Ubuntu Software Center versions history

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.

Development history

Release history

See also

External links