Setting up a workstation
Complete installation and configuration of a Debian development workstation, from the system to the tools.
CompletedSolo · 2024
Context
Individual project of my computer science degree: install and configure a Debian workstation for software development. It covered setting up the operating system, installing the development tools and managing packages.
Goals
- Install and configure a Debian workstation.
- Set up the KDE/Plasma desktop environment.
- Install and configure the JDK, Git and the NetBeans IDE.
- Optimize the system for daily development use.
Implementation
Preparation
Download of the Debian ISO image and integrity check with sha512sum, then
creation of the virtual machine’s disk image and start of the installation.
System installation
Initial configuration (language, locale, keyboard, root password, user accounts), disk partitioning and installation of the essential packages, including the KDE/Plasma desktop environment.
System improvements
- Configuration of the
aptpackage manager for updates. - Installation and configuration of
sudofor administrative commands. - Addition of
snapdandflatpakto broaden software sources, then removal of unneeded packages.
Development tools
Installation of the JDK and Git through apt, checking each installation, then
installation of NetBeans tested with three methods (archive, snap, flatpak),
and creation of symbolic links to make the tools easier to use.
Results
The workstation is operational: KDE/Plasma configured, JDK, Git and NetBeans installed and working. The project gave me hands-on skills in installing Linux systems, managing packages and configuring development tools. The next step would be to automate all these installations with a script.