How to install ack

It can be installed any number of ways:

  • Install the CPAN module App::Ack. If you are a Perl user already, this is the way to go.
  • Download the standalone version of ack that requires no modules beyond what's in core Perl, and putting it in your path. If you don't want to mess with setting up Perl's CPAN shell, this is easiest.
    curl http://betterthangrep.com/ack-standalone > ~/bin/ack && chmod 0755 !#:3
  • Install the Macport: http://trac.macports.org/browser/trunk/dports/perl/p5-app-ack/Portfile
  • Install the Debian package: ack-grep
    • To install ack-grep as "ack" instead of "ack-grep", use this command:
      sudo dpkg-divert --local --divert /usr/bin/ack --rename --add /usr/bin/ack-grep
  • Install the Ubuntu package: ack-grep
  • Install the Fedora package: ack
  • Install the Gentoo package: sys-apps/ack
  • Install the Arch package: community/ack