Install the training prerequisites

Install Linux tools needed to run the binary distribution, build the example applications, and run local device simulators. Use the package manager for the operating system you selected in installation.

1. On Debian 12/13 or Ubuntu 24.04/26.04, install these packages:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install -y build-essential perl git libevent-dev libreadline-dev libtirpc-dev binutils
   sudo apt install -y socat bc procps iproute2
   

   On Rocky Linux 8.10/10.2, use these commands instead:

   sudo dnf install -y gcc gcc-c++ make perl git libevent-devel readline-devel libtirpc binutils
   sudo dnf install -y socat bc procps-ng iproute findutils which
   

   The development packages also supply their runtime libraries. Naming them avoids assuming that Debian 12 uses Ubuntu’s t64 package names. Commands need administrator privileges and working package repositories.

2. In an ordinary Bash terminal, verify the tools:

   command -v bash perl git make gcc g++ readelf
   command -v socat bc mktemp pgrep ss
   

   Each name must print a path. readelf comes from binutils and is required by the module loader. pgrep supports simulator cleanup.

3. After activating EPICS in Chapter 1, check the executable’s libraries:

   ldd "$(command -v softIocPVX)"
   

   Every dependency must resolve to a file. not found identifies a missing runtime library.

Optional parallel launcher

The main lessons launch simulators in separate terminals. GNU Parallel is optional. On Debian or Ubuntu, install it only if you use the optional launcher commands:

sudo apt install -y parallel
parallel --version

On Rocky Linux, continue with separate terminals if GNU Parallel is not available from your configured repositories. No additional repository is required for the main lessons.