SourcesList
definition
The sources.list file works in conjunction with the apt-get command or Synaptic Package Manager to retrieve pre-built packages for installation. This is also used by your system for system updates. The file is basically the roadmap for apt-get/Synaptic to know where it may download programs for installation on your system.
For details on the apt-get system or the Synaptic Package Manager see:
["AptGetHowto"]
["SynapticHowto"]
location
Your sources.list file is found at: /etc/apt/sources.list.
access
To access or edit this file use one of the below options:
via GNOME:
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
via KDE
sudo knote /etc/apt/sources.list
generic / server
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
editing
It is up to you what you list in your sources.list file. Many outside parties have setup repositories for package distribution in addition to the base repositories supplied by Ubuntu. Each case is different, but unless you know what you're doing (and in that case, you're probably not reading this Wiki) you should stick to the basics below.
To manually edit your sources.list file use one of the commands above to open the file and & copy/paste the link to the sources you need. If you want to make sure you have everything the basic community offers, use the appropriate template below plus any custom lines you may have.
If you are not comfortable manually editing your system check out the graphical instructions here ["AddingRepositoriesHowto"]
common template
Below is a common sources.list file that will give you access to most additional programs you need. Be sure to backup your original list before making any changes! This can be done, again from the terminal, by:
sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list etc/apt/sources.list.backup
Basic sources.list including updates, security, ubuntu supported & community supported.
5.10 Breezy
# Ubuntu supported packages (packages/source) deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy main restricted deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy main restricted deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-updates main restricted deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-updates main restricted deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-security main restricted deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-security main restricted # Ubuntu community supported packages (packages/source) deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy universe multiverse deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy universe multiverse deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-updates universe multiverse deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-updates universe multiverse deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-security universe multiverse deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-security universe multiverse
5.04 Hoary
# Ubuntu supported packages (packages/source) deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary main restricted deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary main restricted deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-updates main restricted deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-updates main restricted deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-security main restricted deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-security main restricted # Ubuntu community supported packages (packages) deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary universe multiverse deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary universe multiverse deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-updates universe multiverse deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-updates universe multiverse deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-security universe multiverse deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-security universe multiverse
backports
Many users also include the Ubuntu Backports:
(The Ubuntu backports project provides packages from the development version, built for the latest stable release. This way you can mix stability with being on the bleeding edge. Use with care.)
Breezy 5.10
# Ubuntu backports project (packages/source) deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-backports main restricted universe multiverse deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu breezy-backports main restricted universe multiverse
Hoary 5.04
# Ubuntu backports project (packages/source) deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-backports main restricted universe multiverse deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-backports main restricted universe multiverse
links
* ["AptGetHowTo"]
* ["SynapticHowTo"]
* ["AddingRepositoriesHowto"]
* [http://www.ubuntulinux.nl/source-o-matic Source-o-Matic list generator (use at your own risk)