Can You Install Mac Software On Linux
If you’re familiar with apt-get from Linux, then you know what a package manager does. It handles downloading, installing, updating and managing certain applications and their dependencies within the operating system. MacPorts is a command-line package manager for macOS. With MacPorts you can install Linux applications on macOS from the command line.
What can I install?
Oct 04, 2017 When the installation is complete, you can run the command as you would on Linux via Terminal. Conclusion MacPorts is a powerful package manager that will connect you to a huge array of open-source binaries and applications that you can download and install on demand.
- But if you want to set up a machine with an up-to-date operating system and browser that can be used more like a Chromebook than a Mac, Linux could be for you. Firefox is a staple in the Linux world, and the latest version is fast with a reduced memory footprint. I can run it on my Power Mac G5 Dual nicely.
- You can actually trial many different operating systems (OS) on your Mac, and can even completely replace macOS with the operating system of your choice. One of the most popular alternatives to macOS, is Linux; a powerful and versatile OS that’s particularly popular with software developers.
Most of these applications are open-source command-line utilities, but there are a fair share of GUI-based applications available as well. Applications like GIMP or GUI versions of command line utilities like diff can often be downloaded through MacPorts after a little exploring.
Here’s how it works: MacPorts hosts a collection of programs, called packages or “ports” in MacPorts parlance. Using a downloaded command line interface, you can search MacPorts’ library of software. When you find what you need, MacPorts downloads and installs the appropriate software and dependencies in the right places. This way, you don’t need to deal with opaque build instructions or confusing dependencies while still getting access to a wide range of the best and most powerful command line utilities.
Since macOS doesn’t come with many of the “standard” utilities included in most Linux distros, moving from Linux’s command line to macOS’ Terminal can sometimes be a let down. We can use MacPorts to install these missing commands, making the macOS command line nearly as capable as its Linux counterpart.
Installing MacPorts
Before you use MacPorts, you’ll need to install Xcode to gain access to a set of higher-end developer tools. These tools are required by many ports and packages, and by the MacPorts package manager itself. Xcode is an IDE made by Apple, and if you do much development, you likely already have it. If not, you can download Xcode from the Mac App Store or Apple’s developer website. You’ll need a developer account for the second option, so if you don’t have one, just go through the App Store.
While you can run most of the MacPort commands without Xcode, you won’t be able to run many of the packages until you install it. You also won’t get much of a warning, so things just won’t work, often without explanation.
Installing Xcode Developer Tools
Once Xcode is installed, you’ll need to install the Xcode developer tools. These are a separate set of command line utilities that many Terminal commands and ports rely on. Fortunately, it’s straightforward.
1. Open Terminal from /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app
2. Use the command below to trigger the installation of macOS’ developer tools:
3. Click “Install” in the pop-up box to install the developer tools. If you don’t have Xcode, you can also click “Get Xcode” to install the application from here.
3. Wait for the files to download and install. It might take a while, so be patient and make sure you stay connected to the Internet.
Installing the MacPorts Package
Once Xcode is installed, you can move on to actually installing MacPorts. If you already have the Xcode and the developer tools installed, you can jump right to this step.
1. Download the latest release of MacPorts from GitHub. Make sure you scroll down to choose the version that matches your version of macOS. At the time of publication, there is no version of MacPorts for Apple’s newest OS, High Sierra, but one should be released soon.
2. Double-click and install the package from your Downloads folder.
3. When you’re done with the installation, open a new Terminal window and run the command port.
If that command returns “MacPorts 2.4.x” and provides a slightly different-looking command prompt, then you’re ready to rock!
Install Linux Apps with MacPorts
To install some Linux apps on macOS with MacPorts, we will first need to search for the relevant programs.
1. To see a gigantic list of all available packages, open Terminal, type port list and press Enter.
3. Obviously, that’s a lot to look through, and it wouldn’t be very efficient to scan it all. We can use the port search command to find something specific. Let’s search for the networking utility nmap using the command below:
4. That returns a few matching packages. It looks like many of them are extensions for nmap, which we’re not interested in. The first one, just called “nmap,” is the one we’re looking for.
5. To get more information about that package we can use the info command:
6. That returns some specific information about nmap. That makes it pretty clear that this is the scanner we’re looking for. We can install with the command below:
Don’t forget that the sudo prefix which will require your admin password to fire. If you’re not logged in as an admin user, you’ll need to run the process again from an administer account.
7. Depending on the package you’re installing, there might be a large list of dependencies. These are software packages that your desired port relies on, and you’ll need to install them alongside your port of choice. Type “Y” and press “Enter” to accept the installation.
8. When the installation is complete, you can run the installed port as you would on Linux via Terminal.
Conclusion
You can check out an the awesome range of ports available by searching for tools you might like. You don’t need to restrict yourself to port names: any keywords will do. Poke around a little bit (port search image, for example) and you might find something unexpectedly useful.
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Now that we know what Linux is, it is the time that to learn how we should install it on the computer and choose which Distribution we should use. Let us start by understanding what a Linux Distribution is.
In this tutorial, we will learn -
What is a Linux Distribution?
Well, now as you know that Linux is open-source, free to use kernel. It is used by programmers, organizations, profit and non-profit companies around the world to create Operating systems to suit their individual requirements.
To prevent hacking attempts, many organizations keep their Linux operating systems private.
Many others make their variations of Linux available publicly so the whole world can benefit at large.
These versions/ types /kinds of Linux operating system are called Distributions.
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How many distributions are out there?
There are hundreds of Linux operating systems or Distributions available these days. Many of them are designed with a specific purpose in mind. For example, to run a web server or to run on network switches like routers, modems, etc.
The latest example of one of the most popular smartphone-based Linux Distribution is Android!
Many of these Distributions are built to offer excellent personal computing.
Here, are a few popular Linux Distributions (also called Linux Distro) -| Linux Distribution | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Arch | This Linux Distro is popular amongst Developers. It is an independently developed system. It is designed for users who go for a do-it-yourself approach. | |
| CentOS | It is one of the most used Linux Distribution for enterprise and web servers. It is a free enterprise class Operating system and is based heavily on Red Hat enterprise Distro. | |
| Debian | Debian is a stable and popular non-commercial Linux distribution. It is widely used as a desktop Linux Distro and is user-oriented. It strictly acts within the Linux protocols. | |
| Fedora | Another Linux kernel based Distro, Fedora is supported by the Fedora project, an endeavor by Red Hat. It is popular among desktop users. Its versions are known for their short life cycle. | |
| Gentoo | It is a source based Distribution which means that you need to configure the code on your system before you can install it. It is not for Linux beginners, but it is sure fun for experienced users. | |
| LinuxMint | It is one of the most popular Desktop Distributions available out there. It launched in 2006 and is now considered to be the fourth most used Operating system in the computing world. | |
| OpenSUSE | It is an easy to use and a good alternative to MS Windows. It can be easily set up and can also run on small computers with obsolete configurations. | |
| RedHat enterprise | Another popular enterprise based Linux Distribution is Red Hat Enterprise.It has evolved from Red Hat Linux which was discontinued in 2004. It is a commercial Distro and very popular among its clientele. | |
| Slackware | Slackware is one of the oldest Linux kernel based OS's. It is another easy desktop Distribution. It aims at being a 'Unix like' OS with minimal changes to its kernel. | |
| Ubuntu | This is the third most popular desktop operating system after Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS. It is based on the Debian Linux Distribution, and it is known as its desktop environment. |
The Best Linux Distribution!
The term best is relative. Each Linux distribution is built for a specific purpose-built to meet the demands of its target users.
The desktop Distributions are available for free on their respective websites. You might want to try them one by one till you get to know which Distribution you like the most. Each one of them offers its own unique design, applications, and security.
We will be using Ubuntu for our learning purpose as it's easy for a beginner to understand.
Installing Linux
Let's look the various methods we can use to install Ubuntu.
Installing Linux using USB stick
This is one of the easiest methods of installing Ubuntu or any distribution on your computer. Follow the steps.
Step 1) Download the .iso or the OS files on your computer from this link.
Step 2) download free, software like 'Universal USB installer to make a bootable USB stick.
Step 3) Select an Ubuntu Distribution form the dropdown to put on your USB
Select your Ubuntu iso file download in step 1.
Select the drive letter of USB to install Ubuntu and Press create button.
Step 4) Click YES to Install Ubuntu in USB.
Step 5) After everything has been installed and configured, a small window will appear Congratulations! You now have Ubuntu on a USB stick, bootable and ready to go.
Installing Linux using CD-ROM
Those who like the way a CD runs should try using this method.
(image source)
Step 1) Download the .iso or the OS files onto your computer from this link http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop.
Step 2) Burn the files to a CD.
Step 3) Boot your computer from the optical drive and follow the instructions as they come.
Installing Linux using Virtual Machine
This is a popular method to install a Linux operating system. The virtual installation offers you the freedom of running Linux on an existing OS already installed on your computer. This means if you have Windows running, then you can just run Linux with a click of a button.
Virtual machine software like Oracle VM can install Ubuntu in easy steps. Let us look at them.
Here the brief steps
PART A) Download and Install Virtual Box
Download Virtual box using this link
Depending on your processor and OS, select the appropriate package. In our case, we have selected Windows with AMD
Once the download is complete, Open setup file and follow the steps below:
Step-1) Click On next
Step-2) Select you're the directory to install VirtualBox and click on next
Step-3) Select Desktop icon and click on next, now click on yes
Step-4) Click On install.
Step-5) Now installation of the virtual box will start. Once complete, click on Finish Button to start Virtual Box
The virtual box dashboard looks like this-
PART B) Download Ubuntu
Visit this link to download Ubuntu.
You can select 32/64-bit versions as per your choice.
PART C) Create a Machine in Virtual Box
Step-1) Open Virtual box and click on new button
Step-2) In next window, give the name of your OS which you are installing in virtual box. And select OS like Linux and version as Ubuntu 32 bit. And click on next
Step-3) Now Allocate Ram Size To your Virtual OS. I recommended keeping 1024mb (1 GB) ram to run Ubuntu better. And click on next.
Step-4) Now To run OS in virtual box we have to create virtual hard disk, click on create a virtual hard drive now and click on create button.
The virtual hard disk is where the OS installation files and data/applications you create/install in this Ubuntu machine will reside
Step-5) select VHD (virtual hard disk) option and click on next.
Step-6) Click on dynamic allocated and click on next. This means that the size of the disk will increase dynamically as per requirement.
Step-7) Allocate memory to your virtual hard drive .8GB recommended. Click on create button.
Step-8) Now you can see the machine name in left panel
So a Machine (PC) with 8GB Hardisk, 1GB RAM is ready.
PART D) Install Ubuntu on the Machine
Step 1) Select the Machine and Click on Start
Step 2) Select the Folder Option
Step 3) Select the Ubuntu iso file
Step 4) Click Start
Step-5) You have an option to Run Ubuntu WITHOUT installing. In this tutorial will install Ubuntu
Step-6) Click continue.
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How To Run Linux On A Mac
Step-7) Select option to erase the disk and install Ubuntu and click on install now. This option installs Ubuntu into our virtual hard drive which is we made earlier. It will not harm your PC or Windows installation
Step-8) Select your location for setting up time zone, and click on continue
Step-9) Select your keyboard layout, by default English (US) is selected but if you want to change then, you can select in the list. And click on continue
Step-10) Select your username and password for your Ubuntu admin account. This information has been needed for installing any software package into Ubuntu and also for login to your OS. Fill up your details and tick on login automatically to ignore login attempt and click on continue
Step-11) Installation process starts. May take up to 30 minutes. Please wait until installation process completes.
Step-12) After finishing the installation, you will see Ubuntu Desktop.
Can You Install Mac Software On Linux Windows 7
Summary
Install Mac Os On Linux
- An operating system based on the Linux kernel is called a Distribution or Distro
- There are hundreds of Distributions available, some of which are designed to accomplish a sole purpose like running servers, act as network switches, etc.
- Naming the best Linux Distribution is difficult as they are made for different.
- Linux can be installed on your system via the below-mentioned methods:
- USB stick
- Live CD
- Virtual Installation