How to Install Zip File in Linux

Last updated on March 11th, 2021 at 09:33 am

Sometimes you may need to install zip file in Linux if you want to install software using its source code, which is typically stored as zip, gzip or bz2 files. Linux allows you to install software from source code by installing zip files in Linux. Here’s how to install zip file in Linux.

 

How to Install Zip File in Linux

Here are the steps to install zip file in Linux.

 

1. Navigate to Folder with Zip File

Let’s say you have downloaded your zip file program.zip to /home/ubuntu folder. Open terminal and navigate to this location using CD command

$ cd /home/ubuntu
$ ls
$ program.zip

Bonus Read : How to Find Directory in Linux

 

2. Unzip Zip File

Run the following command to unzip your zip file. If unzip is not installed on your Linux system, here are the steps to install unzip in Linux.

$ unzip program.zip

This will create a new folder named program in your present working directory extract all files & folders in program.zip to this new folder. Navigate to this folder and list its contents using LS command.

$ cd program
$ ls

 

3. View Readme file

Most zip files have a README or INSTALL document that contains steps for installation. If they are displayed in the output of ls command view it using “more README” command. If these files are not present, then you can continue with the default installation steps.

Bonus Read : How to List All Files in a Directory

 

4. Pre-Installation Configuration

Next, type the following command to initiate pre-installation configuration. Please make sure you are in unzipped folder (e.g /home/ubuntu/program) when you run this command.

$ ./configure

Linux will check if dependencies and prerequisites are satisfied before you can proceed to compilation, and create a makefile file used for compilation.

 

5. Compilation

Run make command to compile the source code located in your unzipped folder.

$ make

Make command will run the instructions present in makefile file.

Bonus Read : How to List Files in Linux

 

6. Installation

Finally we complete the installation using make install command. However, you need to switch to root user, using su command before you initiate installation. You will be asked to enter root password while doing so.

$ su
Password:
$ make install

You may see some messages on the screen as installation proceeds. In the end, you will mostly see the installation location of your program/software. If you see any prompts during installation, type ‘Y’ and press enter.

 

Hopefully, the above steps will help you install zip file in Linux.

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