How To Install Scala on Fedora 41

Scala is a powerful programming language that combines object-oriented and functional programming paradigms, making it a popular choice among developers for building scalable applications. If you’re using Fedora 41, this guide will walk you through the steps to install Scala efficiently. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, this article provides detailed instructions, troubleshooting tips, and additional resources to ensure a smooth installation process.

Prerequisites

System Requirements

Before installing Scala, ensure that your system meets the following minimum hardware specifications:

• Processor: 2 GHz dual-core processor or higher
• RAM: At least 4 GB (8 GB recommended)
• Disk Space: Minimum of 500 MB free space

Additionally, you should have the following software prerequisites installed on your system:

• Fedora 41: Ensure that your operating system is up to date.
• Java Development Kit (JDK): Scala requires JDK to run. We will cover its installation in the next section.

Installing Java Development Kit (JDK)

The Java Development Kit (JDK) is essential for running Scala applications. To check if JDK is already installed on your system, use the following command:

java -version

If JDK is not installed, you can easily install it using the following command:

sudo dnf install java-11-openjdk-devel

This command will install the OpenJDK version 11, which is compatible with Scala. After installation, verify it again using the java -version command to ensure it’s properly set up.

Installing Scala on Fedora 41

Recommended Installation Method: Using Coursier

Coursier is a tool that simplifies the installation of Scala and its dependencies. It’s recommended for its ease of use and efficiency. Here’s how to install Scala using Coursier:

1. 1. Install Coursier:

curl -Lo cs https://git.io/coursier-cli && chmod +x cs && ./cs setup

1. 2. Add Coursier to your PATH:

You may need to add Coursier to your PATH. Open your terminal and execute:

echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/share/coursier/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc && source ~/.bashrc

1. 3. Verify Installation:

To confirm that Scala has been installed correctly, run the following command:

scala -version

You should see the installed version of Scala displayed in the terminal.

Alternative Installation Methods

Manual Installation from Binary Distribution

If you prefer to install Scala manually, follow these steps:

1. 1. Download Scala:

You can download the latest version of Scala from the official website. Use the following command to download it directly via terminal (ensure you replace the version number with the latest one):

wget https://downloads.lightbend.com/scala/2.13.6/scala-2.13.6.tgz

1. 2. Extracting and Setting Up Scala:

After downloading, extract the tarball using:

tar -xvf scala-2.13.6.tgz

This will create a directory named scala-2.13.6. Move this directory to a location accessible by all users:

sudo mv scala-2.13.6 /usr/local/

1. 3. Add Environment Variables:

You need to set environment variables for Scala. Open your .bash_profile or .bashrc file in a text editor:

nano ~/.bashrc

Add the following lines at the end of the file:

export SCALA_HOME=/usr/local/scala-2.13.6/
export PATH=$PATH:$SCALA_HOME/bin

Save and exit the editor (in nano, press CTRL + X, then Y, then ENTER). To apply these changes, run:

source ~/.bashrc

1. 4. Verify Installation:

You can verify if Scala is installed correctly by running:

scala -version

Using Package Managers (dnf)

An alternative method for installing Scala is through Fedora’s package manager, dnf. This method is straightforward but may not always provide the latest version of Scala.

1. 1. Install Scala using dnf:

sudo dnf install scala

1. 2. Verify Installation:

After installation is complete, check if Scala was installed successfully by running:

scala -version

This method is quick and easy but consider using Coursier or manual installation if you require specific versions of Scala.

Post-Installation Configuration

Setting Up Environment Variables

If you followed the manual installation method or used Coursier without adding it to your PATH, ensure that your environment variables are set correctly for ease of use.

Edit your .bashrc file again if necessary and make sure these lines are included:

export SCALA_HOME=/usr/local/scala-2.13.6/
export PATH=$PATH:$SCALA_HOME/bin
export PATH="$HOME/.local/share/coursier/bin:$PATH"

This ensures that both manual installations and Coursier installations are recognized by your terminal session.

Verifying the Installation

A successful installation can be confirmed by checking the version of Scala installed on your system with this command:

scala -version

If everything is set up correctly, you should see output displaying the installed version of Scala, indicating that you are ready to start developing applications!

Troubleshooting Common Installation Issues

If you encounter issues during installation, here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Error: “scala: command not found”: This usually indicates that Scala is not in your PATH. Ensure you’ve added it correctly in your .bashrc or .bash_profile file and run `source ~/.bashrc`.
• Error: Incompatible Java Version: Make sure you have JDK 11 or higher installed as older versions may not be compatible with newer versions of Scala.
• Error: Permission Denied during Installation: If you’re getting permission errors while moving files or installing packages, try running commands with `sudo` or check your user permissions.
• Error: Unable to connect to repository while installing via dnf: Check your internet connection and ensure that your repositories are up-to-date with `sudo dnf update`.
• Error: Coursier fails to download dependencies : Ensure that you have a stable internet connection and try running `coursier setup` again.
• Error: Missing dependencies when running a project : Ensure all required libraries are included in your build.sbt file if you’re using SBT for project management.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Scala. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Scala programming language on your Fedora 41 system. For additional or useful information, we recommend you check the official Scala website.