How to Install a BIN File in Ubuntu Linux

A BIN file, short for binary, is a self-extracting program for a Unix-like operating system, such as Ubuntu Linux. Commercial software for Linux, such as Java, is often distributed as BIN files. After you give it the proper permissions to execute and run it, the program should install itself.

Instructions

1. Press and hold "Ctrl," "Alt" and "T" on the keyboard to bring up Terminal, Ubuntu's terminal emulator program, on the Unity desktop.

2. Type "cd" in the terminal without quotes to change to your home directory. Then, if you downloaded the BIN file to a different directory, type "cd" followed by the name of the directory where the BIN file is located. For example, type "cd Downloads" if the name of the directory is "Downloads." Press "Enter."

3. Type the following:

   find . -name "*.bin"

   Press "Enter." Make sure to enclose the star, dot and bin in quotation marks. Find the exact name of the BIN file in the list.

4. Type "sudo chmod +x filename.bin" without quotes, replacing "filename.bin" with the actual name of the BIN file that you want to install. Press "Enter." Enter your password if prompted and press "Enter" again.

5. Type "./filename.bin" without quotation marks, again replacing "filename.bin" with the name of the file you're installing. Press "Enter" to run the program. Follow any instructions that appear within the terminal during the installation process.

Tips & Warnings

• You cannot run other types of BIN files, such as those intended for Windows or Mac, natively on Ubuntu.

• Do not type "sudo" before the last step.

• Remember that Linux commands and file names are case sensitive.

References

• FileInfo.com: .BIN File Extension
• Ubuntu Documentation: Using the Terminal
• Java: What Are the Linux x64 Self-Extracting Binary Installation Instructions for Java?

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• CatCode.com: Chmod Tutorial
• Unix Help: Man Find