Snap

Snap (sometimes referred to as Snappy) is a software deployment/package management utility built by Canonical and can be seen as an alternative/distant cousin to Apt & Synaptic Package Manager and Flatpak (the RedHat Developed alternative to Snap). The software packages (called snaps) automatically update (you can change this) and as such enable you to always run the latest version of a snap. You don’t need to work about dependency conflicts either when updating since snap packages are isolated from the rest of your system. They have their own file system and can’t interfere with other apps on your PC/Laptop.

Caveat for use – Minimal Resource PCs/Laptops

It is currently understood that snapd / snaps sometimes use a sizable memory footprint (even when not in use). If you are using a PC/laptop with only the minimal Bodhi Linux specifications, the memory demands may overwhelm your available system resources and as such your experience may not be optimal. An article on this subject was published here.

Enabling snaps on Bodhi Linux 6 and 7

snapd is a REST API daemon for managing snap packages. This must be installed before other Snaps can be installed. However, snap support is disabled by default in Bodhi Linux 6 and 7. The apt package manager has been configured to prevent the installation of the snapd package, disabling the installation of all snap packages on Bodhi.  The Bodhi Team felt this was necessary due to changes in the way Ubuntu packages certain applications in the Ubuntu repositories. Linux Mint made the same decision.

As explained by Mint’s lead developer, Clem Lefebvre:

as you install APT updates, Snap becomes a requirement for you to continue to use Chromium and installs itself behind your back. This breaks one of the major worries many people had when Snap was announced and a promise from its developers that it would never replace APT.

A self-installing Snap Store which overwrites part of our APT package base is a complete NO NO.

If you decide you wish to install snap applications, here is how to enable the snap support in Bodhi Linux.

sudo rm /etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref
sudo apt update

Installing Snapd

If the installation of snapdis enabled, then you can install snapd via Synaptic Package Manager, or via apt through Terminology. the latter is shown below.

sudo apt update && sudo apt install snapd

Installing the Snap Store (optional)

The snap store is a graphical tool to browse, select, and install snaps. You can install snap-store via Synaptic Package Manager, or via apt through Terminology. the latter is shown below.

sudo snap install snap-store

Once installed, the Snap Store can be found using the Bodhi Menu:

Main Menu > Applications > Internet > Snap Store

NOTE: if you do not see the menu entry, you may be required to reboot for the app to be picked up and added to the Moksha menu).

Use the snap store to search for and/or browse for snaps by category. Each snaps page has a dedicated page housing more information plus the option to install the targeted software.

Snaps Management – command-line

All the following commands are run at the command line using Terminology

Search for Packages

To find your package/software:

snap find <search_text>

Install a Package

To find your package/software:

sudo snap install <package>

List Installed Packages

snap list --all --color auto

Update a Package

sudo snap refresh <package-name>

Update All Packages

sudo snap refresh --list

Remove a Package

sudo snap remove <package-name>

Completely Remove Snaps/Snapd

Using Snap Management – Command-line as a guide, perform the following steps using Terminology:

1. List Install Packages
   snap list --all --color auto
2. Remove all Packages. For each item listed in the output of step #1, run
   sudo snap remove <package-name>
3. Remove Snapd
   sudo apt purge snapd
4. Remove the snap folder
   rm -rf ~/snap
5. Remove snap .desktop file(s)
   rm ~/.local/share/applications/snap*
rm ~/Desktop/snap*

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