how to uninstall a program on ubuntu

Ubuntu 10.10(Maverick Meerkat) is the latest stable version; Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) is coming soon(it will be released in the end of this month). Linux distros were already very popular in Server and other computational/research field but now it is also a popular choice among common desktop users. All this happened, due to the Linux Distributions like Ubuntu,Linux Mint; that came with great desktop experience(with a lot of simplicity).

Installing/Uninstalling programs on Ubuntu is Really Difficult or Fun!

I have been using Ubuntu from years and I can certainly say that – Linux Mint/Ubuntu is simple to use like the Windows or Mac. Installing Program in Ubuntu is as(probably more) easy as windows, just in single click from the Ubuntu Software Center. That set, then where’s the catch ? The problem is the Dynamic Libraries. Ubuntu or any other Linux Distros are very dynamic and the libraries are shared(centrally) by all programs, so dependencies problem occurs. So the software packages(for Ubuntu)  are not shipped with all the dependent libraries so if you want to install a program then its dependent library must be installed in order to execute it successfully.

Thanks to the Advanced Synaptic Package Manager, which handles Dependencies in a much smart way, it automatically recommends all the required library when you try to install a software. Now you may think that installation is easy.. “ok dude I’m agree”, but what about uninstalling or removing a program,package or software ? Is it as easy installation ? Of course it is! Relax.

UnInstall/Remove software/programs in Ubuntu

Method #1 : Using Synaptic Package Manager

Open Synaptic package manager and search for the program/packages you want to remove then mark the box for removal/complete removal(it may create dependencies problem so better go with other). Then click on Apply button to remove the selected packages. In the above picture, I’ve selected the program named – ‘tango GPS’ for removal.

Method #2 : From Command Line

The most common type of syntax for removing a program/package is explored below but you need to authorize (Enter your login password)  and confirm (Type y for ‘yes’ or n for ‘no’, if you have changed your mind);  then wait for few seconds until the job is complete.

$ sudo apt-get remove program_name_you_want_to_remove

Here is one real example,which will remove the kdissert, a mind map tool, program with the command -

$ sudo apt-get remove kdissert