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Asked: 2024-09-25T20:41:08+05:30 In:

What steps should I follow to install the libncurses.so.5 library on Ubuntu 20.04?

So, I’ve been trying to get some older terminal applications to run on my Ubuntu 20.04 setup, and I keep hitting a wall because they require the `libncurses.so.5` library. It’s become a bit of a headache, and I honestly don’t know where to start. I’ve searched online, but a lot of the guides I’ve found seem outdated or not particularly helpful for my version of Ubuntu.

I know the `libncurses` library is pretty common for terminal-based applications, but it seems like Ubuntu 20.04 uses a newer version of ncurses, which is where I’m getting stuck. I’m not really a developer or a sysadmin—just a user trying to get by with my usual tools, so I’m hoping people here can break it down for someone like me.

Do I need to install this library from the terminal? If so, what specific commands should I be using? I don’t want to mess up my system or accidentally overwrite something important. Is there a way to get this `libncurses.so.5` version without risking compatibility issues with other software?

I’ve also heard something about creating symbolic links in some threads—does that really work? If so, could someone explain how to do that without breaking anything?

Also, how do I verify if the installation was successful? Is there a command I can run to see if it’s actually there and recognized by the system?

I’ve tried a couple of things already, but I think I might be overcomplicating it. I just want to get everything working smoothly without diving into a rabbit hole of dependencies and configurations.

If anyone has been through this and could share a step-by-step of what they did or any tips, I’d really appreciate it! Just looking for a straightforward approach so I can get back to using my favorite tools without issues. Thanks!

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    2 Answers

    1. To run older terminal applications that require the `libncurses.so.5` library on your Ubuntu 20.04 setup, you’ll need to install the legacy version of the ncurses library. First, you’ll need to add the appropriate repository, as the `libncurses5` package is not included by default in Ubuntu 20.04. Open your terminal and run the following commands: sudo apt update to update your package list, followed by sudo apt install libncurses5. This should install the required library. If for some reason you receive an error message or the package is not found, you can also consider installing the package from a `.deb` file or using a PPA if available.

      If the installation is successful, you can verify it by running ls -l /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libncurses.so.5* in your terminal; this command lists the library files related to ncurses. If it’s installed correctly, you should see it listed. Regarding symbolic links, if your application still fails to find `libncurses.so.5`, you can create a symbolic link to the installed library version using the command sudo ln -s /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libncurses.so.6 /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libncurses.so.5. This essentially tricks the application into using the newer version by linking it to the older version’s expected filename. Just make sure to keep a backup of your current libraries, and you should be able to restore them if anything goes wrong.



    2. Installing libncurses.so.5 in Ubuntu 20.04

      How to Get libncurses.so.5 on Ubuntu 20.04

      If you need libncurses.so.5 for an older terminal app, you can make it work without too much headache! Here’s a simple way to get around it.

      Step 1: Install the Compatibility Package

      Ubuntu 20.04 uses a newer version of ncurses by default, but you can install a compatibility package to get the older version:

      sudo apt install libncurses5

      Step 2: Check if it Installed

      After installation, let’s check if it’s there. You can run this command:

      ls /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libncurses.so.*

      If you see libncurses.so.5 in the output, you’re good to go!

      Step 3: Create a Symlink (if needed)

      If for some reason your application still can’t find libncurses.so.5, you might have to create a symbolic link. Here’s how:

      
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libncurses.so.5 /usr/lib/libncurses.so.5

      This command creates a link from the newer library to the expected location. Just make sure to run this in the terminal!

      Step 4: Verify the Symlink

      To check if the symlink is working, you can run:

      ls -l /usr/lib/libncurses.so.5

      This should point to the original libncurses.so.5. If it does, you’re all set!

      Extra Tips

      Try to run your terminal application again after these steps. If you still encounter issues, check if there are other missing dependencies. Generally, your system shouldn’t be affected, but always a good idea to stay cautious.

      Hopefully, this helps you get back to your favorite tools quickly and without fuss! Just take it step-by-step, and good luck!


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