How To Install Development Tools on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, codenamed “Noble Numbat,” stands as a pinnacle of Linux distribution for developers worldwide. This Long-Term Support (LTS) release offers a stable, secure, and feature-rich environment for software development. Whether you’re a seasoned programmer or just starting your coding journey, having the right development tools at your fingertips is crucial. This guide will walk you through the process of installing essential development tools on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, ensuring you have a robust setup for your projects.

From compilers and build automation tools to integrated development environments (IDEs) and version control systems, we’ll cover everything you need to transform your Ubuntu system into a powerhouse for software development. Let’s dive in and explore how to harness the full potential of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS for your coding endeavors.

1. Understanding Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, released in April 2024, continues the tradition of Long-Term Support releases from Canonical. This version, nicknamed “Noble Numbat,” brings significant improvements and features tailored for developers and system administrators alike.

Key features of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS include:

• Enhanced performance and stability
• Improved hardware support
• Updated software packages and libraries
• Advanced security features
• Refined user interface

The LTS designation is particularly important for developers. It guarantees support and security updates for five years, providing a stable platform for long-term projects. This stability is crucial when building and maintaining software, as it minimizes the risk of system changes disrupting your development environment.

2. Preparing Your System

Before diving into the installation of development tools, it’s essential to ensure your system meets the requirements and is up-to-date.

System Requirements

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS requires the following minimum specifications:

• 2 GHz dual-core processor
• 4 GB RAM (system memory)
• 25 GB of hard-drive space
• VGA capable of 1024×768 screen resolution

However, for a smooth development experience, it’s recommended to have at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor.

Updating Existing Packages

Before installing new tools, it’s crucial to update your existing system packages. This ensures compatibility and security. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This command updates the package lists and upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions. The ‘-y’ flag automatically answers “yes” to prompts, streamlining the process.

3. Installing Essential Development Tools

With your system prepared, it’s time to install the core development tools that form the foundation of most programming environments on Ubuntu.

Installing Build-Essential Package

The build-essential package is a meta-package that includes essential tools for compiling software. It includes the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), G++, and the make utility. To install it, run:

sudo apt install build-essential

This command installs GCC, G++, make, and other necessary libraries for compiling C and C++ programs.

Installing Additional Compilers and Libraries

To expand your development capabilities, install additional compilers and libraries with the following command:

sudo apt install autoconf automake libffi-dev zlib1g-dev libssl-dev

This command installs:

• autoconf: An extensible package of M4 macros that produce shell scripts to automatically configure software source code packages.
• automake: A tool for automatically generating Makefile.in files compliant with the GNU Coding Standards.
• libffi-dev: Development files for the Foreign Function Interface library.
• zlib1g-dev: Compression library – development
• libssl-dev: Secure Sockets Layer toolkit – development files

4. Setting Up Development Environments

With the core tools installed, let’s set up some popular development environments to enhance your coding experience on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)

IDEs provide a comprehensive set of tools for software development, including code editors, debuggers, and build automation tools. Two popular choices for Ubuntu are Visual Studio Code and IntelliJ IDEA.

Installing Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a lightweight but powerful source code editor. To install it using Snap, run:

sudo snap install code --classic

Alternatively, you can download the .deb package from the official Visual Studio Code website and install it using:

sudo dpkg -i <path-to-downloaded-package>.deb
sudo apt install -f

Installing IntelliJ IDEA

IntelliJ IDEA is a popular IDE for Java development. To install the Community Edition using Snap, run:

sudo snap install intellij-idea-community --classic

Version Control Systems

Git is the most widely used version control system. It’s essential for tracking changes in your code and collaborating with other developers. To install Git, run:

sudo apt install git

After installation, configure your Git identity:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "youremail@example.com"

5. Configuring Package Management

Effective package management is crucial for maintaining your development environment. Ubuntu uses the Advanced Package Tool (APT) for handling software installations, updates, and removals.

Using APT for Package Management

Here are some essential APT commands for managing packages:

• To install a package: sudo apt install package-name
• To remove a package: sudo apt remove package-name
• To update package lists: sudo apt update
• To upgrade installed packages: sudo apt upgrade
• To search for a package: apt search keyword

Managing Repositories

Ubuntu’s software repositories are defined in the /etc/apt/sources.list file and in the /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory. To add a new repository, you can either edit these files directly or use the add-apt-repository command.

For example, to add a PPA (Personal Package Archive), use:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:user/ppa-name

Remember to update your package lists after adding a new repository:

sudo apt update

6. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful preparation, you may encounter issues when installing development tools. Here are some common problems and their solutions.

Common Installation Errors

Dependency Issues: If you encounter dependency problems, try the following:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

This command attempts to correct dependencies and configure unconfigured packages.

Package Conflicts: If two packages conflict, you may need to remove one before installing the other. Use apt show package-name to view package details and identify conflicts.

Network and Connectivity Problems

Ensure you have a stable internet connection when installing packages. If you’re behind a proxy, configure it system-wide:

export http_proxy=http://username:password@proxyserver:port/
export https_proxy=https://username:password@proxyserver:port/

Add these lines to your ~/.bashrc file for persistence across sessions.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Development Tools. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Development Tools on the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Ubuntu website.