Installing modern commands with tasksel
Command Line – Modernizing Commands
© Lead Image © adiruch, 123RF.com
Many traditional commands now have modern replacements. With tasksel, you can install all of them in a single step.
Many basic Linux commands date back to the beginnings of Unix. In over 50 years, many have changed only in minor ways, such as supporting terabytes as a measurement of memory. Yet distributions continue to include these traditional commands by default, because they are familiar and good enough for most purposes.
In the past decade or so, replacement commands have started to appear. A few are official updates, such as Debian's apt (which tidies apt-get) or Fedora's dnf (which is meant to replace yum and its obscure code). These updates replace older software seamlessly, but many other replacement commands remain an option.
Any day now, I expect a new distribution to appear that installs some of the modern replacements by default, but I finally got tired of waiting. I devised my own simple hack to provide a thoroughly modern set of commands with the help of Debian's tasksel [1] and its beginner-friendly recipes.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.