Nothing but chaotic attempts

[Nicole]

Linux is very new to me. I installed it Mint Cinnamon within a VM on a Win 10 host.
Now I try to populate it with software.
Firebird worked at once.

Lazarus 4. gives me troubles, which leave me clueless.
I try for hours only to get installation files.
After about 20 attempts I found out, that any file troubles. I could not copy the files from the host to the VM.
After I dragged them as zip, I could do it, but then the unzip says "there was an error on unzipping.
This was true for 2 download attempts.

Then I found an installation file with *.deb and tried.
But what? I have no idea, what to do with it.
Here is a thread about "rights", - which is "solved". I do not even understand how and when to set any permission. I have a *.deb file and what now?

Perhaps you can start by giving me the EXACT name and EXACT link of what and where to download.
I want to work with Lazarus 4.
The choice of links is overwhelming.

At the moment I have nothing but a clean xia and Firebird 5 running.

[RayoGlauco]

I don't currently have Linux Mint installed, but I used to. I downloaded the Lazarus files from the official link (https://sourceforge.net/projects/lazarus/files/Lazarus%20Linux%20amd64%20DEB/Lazarus%204.0/ at the moment).

As said in the readme.md file:

You need to download and install **all three** packages fpc-laz, fpc-src and lazarus-project.

# Install them in order:

1. **fpc-laz** - the Compiler, useful command line tools, base units and non visual components like database access
2. **fpc-src** - the sources of fpc and its packages, needed for code browsing
3. **lazarus-project** - the IDE, visual components and help files

[RayoGlauco]

The official download links for each operating system can be found on the page https://www.lazarus-ide.org/ as shown in the attached image.
For Linux Mint Cinnamon, Linux DEB 64-bit is the appropriate option.

I should add that Linux Mint usually had an old version of Lazarus in its repositories, and I, at least, had problems installing it.

The version downloaded directly from the links provided at https://www.lazarus-ide.org/ gave me no problems.

[paweld]

If you don't know Linux well, I recommend installing Lazarus using fpcupdeluxe.
First of all, the file permissions problems that can arise when installing additional components disappear.
Here is a sample installation guide: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Snf0xgdREOQ

[Nicole]

I will watch the video in some minutes.
Up to now there is the error message which I saw similar to all attempts.

[dbannon]

Nicole, I cannot use the language you are using and as you posted an image of the error, I cannot copy it to translate it.

But, you seem to be trying to install fpc-laz_3.2.2-210709_amd64.deb. As noted, you also need the two other packages and must install in the right order (or all at once). So, to install this one, the first one, you would open a terminal, change to the directory you downloaded it to (probably ~/Downloads) and use apt (not apt-get) to install it. eg

Code: Bash  [Select][+][-]

1. $> cd ~/Downloads        # where I guess your downloads are
2. $> ls -l  *.deb              # just to make sure they are there
3. $> sudo apt install ./fpc-laz_3.2.2-210709_amd64.deb
4. ...
5. $ startlazarus

• The second step above should show the files you have downloaded. If there are not three of them, consistent with the what you expect, following steps will not work.
• You MUST put the ./ in front of the downloaded file name (no spaces). Or something that explicitly points to where the file is. ./ means "this here directory".

Repeat the third command replacing the filename with first the fpc source file then the lazarus file.  If you get error messages, copy and paste them here, as you appear to be bi-lingual (I am regrettably NOT) you could provide an english translation too !

Welcome to Linux, you will quickly get used to the differences. In particular, get used to (and learn to love) the command Line !

Davo


 

[Zvoni]

Nicole, I cannot use the language you are using and as you posted an image of the error, I cannot copy it to translate it.

Shown error literally translated:
"The file is probably corrupted or is missing Rights"
It looks like she did a doubleclick on the deb-file directly

When i was still on Ubuntu (which Mint is based on) i used "GDebi" (can be found in Repo) to install deb-files
IIRC, it also resolved dependencies (but not sure. It's been a few years)

[Nicole]

Zvoni, ... I cannot understand, what you mean, although we both speak German.

Let me start with translating:

The error message of the screenshot says:
".... could not be opened. The file may be damaged or permissions not granted."
The checkbox checked says "allow to run the file as program", group "sudo".
All permissions are set to "read and write".

Then I tried the terminal line suggested by Bannon and read:
"The package list or the status file could not be read or opened."

[CM630]

Did you try the wiki?
https://wiki.freepascal.org/Installing_Lazarus_on_Linux#Installing_on_Linux_Mint (.deb files are installed with a double click)


I have no idea why you did this:

...
After about 20 attempts I found out, that any file troubles. I could not copy the files from the host to the VM.
After I dragged them as zip, I could do it, but then the unzip says "there was an error on unzipping.
...

The OS comes with a web browser, just run it and get Lazarus from there.
Maybe clipboard and file copying are not enabled by default in the VM that you are using, so you might need to enable them manually.

If you don't know Linux well, I recommend installing Lazarus using fpcupdeluxe.
...

I tried it with no success; it does not look like a tool for beginners.

[Zvoni]

Zvoni, ... I cannot understand, what you mean, although we both speak German.

Let me start with translating:

The error message of the screenshot says:
".... could not be opened. The file may be damaged or permissions not granted."
The checkbox checked says "allow to run the file as program", group "sudo".
All permissions are set to "read and write".

Then I tried the terminal line suggested by Bannon and read:
"The package list or the status file could not be read or opened."

A deb-file is not an executable. So setting it to "allow to run file as program" is nonsense.
A deb-file is more similiar to a zip-file

"GDebi" is a little tool available on Ubuntu (and derivates, which Mint is).
From command-line: "sudo apt-get install gdebi".
I used that to install deb-packages when i was still on Ubuntu.
Start GDebi (it's a GUI-program with a Window), select your deb-file and off you go.

Well, and the deb-file actually being completely downloaded (File-Size of deb-file?) not withstanding......

EDIT: Wait a second.
Your Linux is in a VM (VirtualBox?).
Did you download the deb-file WITHIN the VM or outside (on your Windows-Host)?

If it's VirtualBox i think to remember, that the Extensions have to be installed  (and the option be activated)  to be able to move files between Host and Guest

[Martin_fr]

After I dragged them as zip, I could do it, but then the unzip says "there was an error on unzipping.

Have you tried direct download inside the virtual machine?

Maybe something went wrong, when transferring between host and guest system?

Also files have checksums on sourceforge (and on the lazarus homepage).
Your linux may have tools like
  md5sum   fpc-laz_3.2.2-210709_amd64.deb
  sha1sum   fpc-laz_3.2.2-210709_amd64.deb

Then you can compare them to the expected checksum. (for all the deb files)

[Nicole]

Thank you all answers and especial to Zwoni's.
I installed this thing, - and it did not work neither. This message was clear:
The troubles came from the Windows 10 copy.

I re-downloaded everything by the Linux-VM and now Lazarus 4 shows me the welcome screen.
Have to go, I am eager to explore it!

[dbannon]

When i was still on Ubuntu (which Mint is based on) i used "GDebi" (can be found in Repo) to install deb-files
IIRC, it also resolved dependencies (but not sure. It's been a few years)

Yes, gdebi is a solution, unfortunately, its a GTK2 app, no sign of a GTK2/3 or Qt version so most current distributions have stopped installing it by default. Its a shame, its a really useful app. I used to recommend using it to install my app but no longer do so.

And, yes, it resolves dependencies.  If you will be using gtk2 stuff anyway (such as default lazarus), I'd still recommend installing gdebi first.

Maybe we need to make a Lazarus version of gdebi ?  Then it can use usable widget set ? Its just a GUI wrapper around apt. I claim copyright to "Ldebi" !

Davo

[Nicole]

copyright granted!

I am really long at computers. I assure you: The change to Linux is that hard, that I think over to let it. This is a pity for the Linux community. Because the idea should be, to get all those users who hate Windows 11.

In Germany there is a huge technical magazine publisher who reaches ten thousands of admins, who pushes Linux and writes articles about how to change from Windows.  I was one of the readers.

There are too many Linux versions around. It is like Pretty Good Privacy. A killer app, - nobody wants.

[dbannon]

I am really long at computers. I assure you: The change to Linux is that hard, that I think over to let it.

Yes, I understand that.  But be careful how you compare, I'm guessing you have used Windows for "many" years ? Gradually improving your knowledge, getting a better and better understanding over those "many" years ? And now you know Windows pretty well !

Do you think its reasonable to get to that same skill level with Linux in a few days ?

I feel as you do every time my wife asks for help with Windows. Its just another operating system, surely I can sort it out for her ?  But every time its hard work, lots of "bloody Windows" and similar expletives. I hate, for example how Windows hides from you where it saved a file, on Linux its very obvious, you can go there and find it later. But Windows (and Android which is really Linux) its not really your business where a file is saved, "trust us".  Keep it simple, I call it dumbing down !

And all that is because I am not willing (nor have a need) to put the time into understanding how Windows works. 
 
Davo