Snap Package Installation

[newb2debian]

I'm using Debian 10 Buster with the Cinnamon desktop. I wanted to install the audacity snap package so I followed the instructions here: https://snapcraft.io/install/audacity/debian

Interestingly, the installation was without issues. However, I can't seem to locate audacity. It's not in the Start menu. I can't call it from a terminal.

Anyone know what may be occurring? Thanks.

[Hallvor]

Snaps should launch from the terminal like any other application.

Read this: https://www.putorius.net/beginners-guid ... linux-mint

[newb2debian]

Hey Hallvor - I read all of that info already but I can't seem to find how to launch audacity. That's what I'm looking for. It's not in the Start menu like it's supposed to be. I snap installed the snap-store and I can't even launch it from the terminal.

[Hallvor]

I can't even launch it from the terminal.

What is the exact output?

And what is the output of the following?

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snap list

and

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df | grep audacity

[newb2debian]

$ audacity
bash: audacity: command not found

The snap list output:
Name Version Rev Tracking Publisher Notes
audacity 2.4.2 756 latest/stable diddledan -
core 16-2.49.2 10958 latest/stable canonical✓ core
core18 20210309 1997 latest/stable canonical✓ base
gnome-3-34-1804 0+git.3556cb3 66 latest/stable canonical✓ -
gtk-common-themes 0.1-52-gb92ac40 1515 latest/stable canonical✓ -
gtk2-common-themes 0.1 13 latest/stable canonical✓ -
snap-store 3.38.0-59-g494f078 518 latest/stable canonical✓ -

The df | grep audacity output:
/dev/loop2 120832 120832 0 100% /snap/audacity/756

[Hallvor]

This looks like something worthy of a bug report.

If you can run Audacity with the full path, for instance $ /snap/audacity you can try adding the directory to $PATH

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echo $PATH

If there is no snap directory there, try adding the directory that contains the binaries, for instance.

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$ export PATH="$PATH:/snap"

Bester69 is somewhat of a snap expert. Where is he when you need him?

[craigevil]

Snaps are pure evil. I should know since "evil" is part of my name.

Download Audacity from https://www.audacityteam.org/
Then follow the build instructions.

[sunrat]

Snaps are pure evil. I should know since "evil" is part of my name.

Agreed. Snaps are for Ubuntu and Ubuntu is a bit evil as well.

Download Audacity from https://www.audacityteam.org/
Then follow the build instructions.

Do that if you absolutely need the latest version (you probably don't).
Otherwise install a stable version from the Debian repos which is the recommended and supported method for Debian. Use Synaptic, or apt:-

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apt install audacity

[kedaha]

Hi,
Since the desktop file isn't automatically copied to /usr/share/applications then you will need to copy it to that directory from /var/lib/snapd/desktop/applications/ thus:

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# cp /var/lib/snapd/desktop/applications/audacity_audacity.desktop /usr/share/applications/

Now you should be able to launch it like any other application from your Menu.
The same applies to any other snap application whether installed via the command line or via the Snap Store GUI.
Disclaimer: I think the offcial stable debian packages should be one's first choice.

[newb2debian]

I appreciate everyone taking time out to answer my question. I appreciate it.

Hallvor - this is probably worthy of a bug report as you suggest.

This was more of a test for snap use in Debian and it didn't work as expected...imagine that. I didn't realize snap was for Ubuntu, a distro that I'm not interested in - it's a desktop and telemetry thing. I will immediately uninstall the snap(s) and snap to clean my Debian and continue to install programs using apt or apt-get. Thanks again.

[kedaha]

This was more of a test for snap use in Debian and it didn't work as expected...imagine that.

It will work as expected if you simply copy the file as I explained in my reply. The question can be marked "solved."

I didn't realize snap was for Ubuntu, a distro that I'm not interested in - it's a desktop and telemetry thing.

No, it is definitely a Debian package tracker.debian.org/pkg/snapd described as:

Daemon and tooling that enable snap packages
Install, configure, refresh and remove snap packages. Snaps are
'universal' packages that work across many different Linux systems,
enabling secure distribution of the latest apps and utilities for
cloud, servers, desktops and the internet of things.

I will immediately uninstall the snap(s) and snap to clean my Debian and continue to install programs using apt or apt-get.

So it is not only for Ubuntu.
By installing it one gets to install "the latest apps and utilities", which obviously have not undergone the same developmental phases in sid and testing before being released as part of the stable distribution. So snaps are from upstream and bug reports cannot be submitted to Debian about them.
But no need to purge the debian package in my view.

[putzina]

I'm using Debian 10 Buster with the Cinnamon desktop. I wanted to install the audacity snap package so I followed the instructions here: https://snapcraft.io/install/audacity/debian

Interestingly, the installation was without issues. However, I can't seem to locat
e audacity. It's not in the Start menu. I can't call it from a terminal.

Anyone know what may be occurring? Thanks.

I am not sure about your setup, but I am using LMDE, which is based on Debian Buster. Follow the instructions for enabling snap on Debian as published on the snapcraft site. I assume you did. Install the snap app you want by typing "snap install spotify" or "snap install skype" or whatever it is. If you don't see your installed snap apps in your menus, you can find them in the directory /snap/bin

You then just need to create launchers on the Desktop or wherever you want to put them.

For most Debian programs, like audacity, you should just install using apt or sympatic. Snap was created by Canonical, which runs Ubuntu, which is based on Debian unstable. Ubuntu and snap are both controversial and disliked by many Linux users. Personally, I only use snap to install something on Debian when I cannot find a native version to get from apt. My only snaps in use on my OS at this time are spotify, yakyak (like aol instant messenger, but for Google hangouts) and Zoom, which many people have to use in this Covid pandemic.

[kedaha]

For anyone still uncertain how to get the snaps into the menus all you have to do is to take a look at the directory where they are kept, after installing the snap you are interested in via the command line. For example, after # snap install audacity

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$  cd  /var/lib/snapd/desktop/applications/ && ls
audacity_audacity.desktop      
snap-store_snap-store.desktop

and then just copy them, as root, as follows:

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cp /var/lib/snapd/desktop/applications/snap-store_snap-store.desktop /usr/share/applications/
cp /var/lib/snapd/desktop/applications/audacity_audacity.desktop /usr/share/applications/

and then you'll have both the snapstore GUI, useful for browsing what's available and audacity available in your menu. I've only tried this in mate but it will most likely work for other environments.
I don't think I'd be concerned about installing genuine free and open software, if I really needed it, from this source but I would definitely shy away from installing the non-free stuff.

[pwzhangzz]

Am just wondering why anyone would want to use snap in Debian??? Snap was one of the two reasons I got out of Ubuntu (having been a Ubuntu user since 6.04).

[putzina]

Am just wondering why anyone would want to use snap in Debian??? Snap was one of the two reasons I got out of Ubuntu (having been a Ubuntu user since 6.04).

I hear you. Well, I try to minimize my use of snaps, but sometimes I just need a particular application that is only available via snap, and so I'd rather use that snap then have to boot Windows for it.

[CwF]

maybe a nice fat appimage?
https://apprepo.de/appimage/audacity

[sunrat]

maybe a nice fat appimage?
https://apprepo.de/appimage/audacity

437MB?! Sir, surely you jest. I'll stick with the repo version for now:

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apt install audacity

[pwzhangzz]

The appimage version of Audacity (2.3.3) was actually older than in the bullseye repository (2.4.2).

Also note the warning re snap package in the Audacity Download section:

"Due to reported problems with SnapCraft / Flatpak / PPA versions, our current recommendation for Ubuntu / Mint users is to install the “deb” version from the main repository. "

I have been using the Bullseye apt version, haven't noticed any problem.

[millpond]

I found that snaps install server software by default, and deliberately try to block any user access to their files. Pure evil, as stated.

My solution was to get the source for the package i wanted from git, and compile it, and install to /opt.

[s3a]

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snap run audacity

?

Also, it's in Flathub.:
https://flathub.org/apps/details/org.au ... m.Audacity