How to Install Sublime Text on Ubuntu

Sublime Text is a popular, feature-rich text editor designed to make coding and editing a seamless experience. It’s a powerful tool that supports a wide range of programming languages, including Python, Java, C++, and many more. Sublime Text is known for its speed, simplicity, and flexibility, making it a favorite among developers, programmers, and writers.

Sublime text editor offers advanced features such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and project management, making it an ideal choice for coding, editing, and debugging. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, Sublime Text can help you work more efficiently and effectively.

By installing Sublime Text on Ubuntu, you’ll be able to tap into its full potential and take your coding skills to the next level. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process to install Sublime Ubuntu.

Installing Sublime on Ubuntu

You can install sublime on Ubuntu by following either of these three methods:

1. Using Ubuntu Software Center.
2. Using the Ubuntu Package Repository.
3. Using Snap package manager.

Now let’s discuss these methods one by one in the below section.

Installing Sublime Using Ubuntu Software Center

Installing Sublime Text on Ubuntu can be accomplished in a few straightforward steps using the Ubuntu Software Center. This method is ideal for users who prefer a user-friendly interface and don’t want to deal with command-line interfaces.

First, navigate to the Ubuntu Software Center by searching for it in the Applications menu or by typing “Ubuntu Software” in the search option. Click on the “Ubuntu Software” icon to open the application. Once the Ubuntu Software Center is open, click on the Search bar located at the top of the window and type “Sublime Text”. Press the Enter key or click on the Search button to initiate the search.

In the search results, click on the Sublime Text result to open its dedicated page.

On the Sublime Text page, you will see an Install button. Click on this button to start the installation process. You may be prompted to enter your password to authenticate the installation. The installation process will begin, and Sublime Text will be installed on your Ubuntu system. Depending on your internet connection and system configuration, this may take a few minutes.

Installing Sublime Using Ubuntu Package Repository

Installing Sublime Text using the Ubuntu package repository is a method that involves adding the Sublime Text repository to your system and then installing the editor using the package manager. This method requires some command-line interface knowledge but provides more control over the installation process.

First downloads the Sublime Text repository key and adds it to the list of trusted keys on your system:

wget -qO - https://download.sublimetext.com/sublimehq-pub.gpg | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/sublimehq-archive.gpg > /dev/null

The `-qO -` options in `wget` tell it to download the key quietly and output it to stdout. The `gpg –dearmor` command converts the key to a format that can be used by the package manager.

The sudo tee command is used to append the key to the file /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/sublimehq-archive.gpg.

Next, add the Sublime Text repository to your system:

echo "deb https://download.sublimetext.com/ apt/stable/" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sublime-text.list

The echo command outputs the repository URL, and sudo tee appends it to the file /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sublime-text.list.

After that, update the package list to include the newly added Sublime Text repository:

sudo apt update

Finally, install Sublime Text on your system:

sudo apt-get install sublime-text

Using Snap Package Manager

For users who prefer a straightforward and hassle-free installation process, utilizing the Snap Package Manager is an excellent option. This method eliminates the need to manually download and configure the installation package, making it a convenient choice for users with limited technical expertise.

Before installing Sublime Text, you need to install Snap on Ubuntu system. To do this, open a terminal window and execute the following command:

sudo apt install snapd

This command will download and install the Snap Package Manager on your system. You may be prompted to enter your password to authenticate the installation.

Once the Snap Package Manager is installed, you can install sublime using the below command:

sudo snap install sublime-text --classic

Features of Sublime Text Editor

1. Syntax Highlighting: Sublime Text supports a vast array of programming languages, offering clear syntax highlighting that enhances readability and debugging.
2. Autocomplete: Its intelligent code completion suggests relevant code snippets and functions, streamlining the coding process and reducing the chances of errors.
3. Multiple Selections: This powerful feature allows you to make simultaneous edits across different parts of your code, saving time on repetitive tasks.
4. Command Palette: Sublime Text includes a Command Palette that provides quick access to frequently used functions, without the need to navigate through menus.
5. Distraction-Free Mode: For focused coding or writing, this mode minimizes visual clutter, leaving only the content you’re working on visible.
6. Customizability: Sublime Text can be tailored to your specific workflow through customizable themes, keyboard shortcuts, and a wide range of third-party plugins.
7. Split Editing: You can open and edit multiple files side by side, allowing for easier comparison and multitasking across projects.

Benefits of Using Sublime Text Editor

• Speed and Performance: Sublime Text’s lightweight design ensures it operates at lightning speed, even when handling large files or extensive codebases, making it ideal for developers who need efficiency.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: It’s available on multiple operating systems, including Ubuntu, Windows, and macOS, allowing developers to use the same tool regardless of their platform.
• Lightweight Yet Powerful: Despite its minimal resource usage, Sublime Text offers powerful features such as autocompletion, multi-caret editing, and package management that can handle even complex development tasks.
• Highly Customizable: Through the use of plugins, settings, and extensions, Sublime Text can be transformed into a specialized tool that caters to specific languages, frameworks, or personal coding preferences.
• User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive and clean layout makes Sublime Text approachable for beginners while still offering advanced features for seasoned professionals, improving overall productivity.
• Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: With Package Control, you can easily install, update, and remove plugins, further expanding the functionality of Sublime Text to suit your development needs.
• Efficient Workflow: The combination of features like multiple selections, split editing, and the Command Palette significantly improves coding efficiency, helping you work smarter and faster.

Conclusion

Installing Sublime Text on Ubuntu is a straightforward process, and you have multiple methods to choose from depending on your preference. The Ubuntu Software Center offers a user-friendly, graphical interface, making it ideal for those who want a simple, hassle-free installation. On the other hand, the Ubuntu Package Repository method provides more control, allowing you to manually add the repository and install the editor using terminal commands.

For those seeking the easiest and most automated approach, the Snap Package Manager offers a quick and reliable installation. With just a few commands, you can download Sublime in Ubuntu running on your system without the need to manually configure repositories. Whichever method you choose, Sublime Text will significantly enhance your coding experience on Ubuntu.

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