Question: Beginner on Linux Mint - Git not starting

Introduction

This article aims to help a beginner on Linux Mint who has downloaded Git and unpacked it in /usr/lib but is unable to start it. We will cover key concepts, provide detailed context, and properly format code blocks according to the programming language.

Context

The user has downloaded Git and unpacked it in the /usr/lib directory. However, Git is not starting. The question is whether the user needs to make any changes.

Git Installation and Execution

To install Git, follow these steps:

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

sudo apt-get install git

3. Enter your password when prompted.
4. Once the installation is complete, Git should be ready to use. To verify the installation, type git in the terminal and press Enter. If Git is installed correctly, you should see a help message.

Unpacking Git

If you have unpacked Git manually, it is likely that you have not set up the environment correctly. Here's how to do it:

1. Move the Git source code to the appropriate directory. For example:

sudo mv /usr/lib/git /usr/local/

2. Change the ownership of the Git directory to the root user:

sudo chown -R root:root /usr/local/git

3. Change the permissions of the Git directory and its contents to be executable:

sudo chmod -R 755 /usr/local/git

4. Add the Git installation directory to your PATH environment variable. Open your .bashrc or .bash_profile file (located in your home directory) and add the following line:

export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/git/bin

5. Save the file and close it.
6. Reload the .bashrc or .bash_profile file by typing the following command and pressing Enter:

source ~/.bashrc

If you have followed these steps and still encounter issues with starting Git, please refer to the resources below for further assistance.

References

• How to Install Git on Ubuntu 20.04
• How To Install Git on Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa)