Debian / Ubuntu tasksel: Install Group Software (tasks) such As DNS / Web Server In A Single Click

I'm looking for 'yum groupinstall group' like command under Debian or Ubuntu Linux. How do I install group of softwares such as DNS or LAMP server in a single command?

You need to use tasksel command. It is a software installation application that is an integral part of the Debian installer and works under Ubuntu Linux too. It groups some packages by tasks and offers the user an easy way to install the packages for that task. It provides the same functionality as using conventional meta-packages.

How do I use tasksel?

tasksel has been included as part of the base installation under both Debian and Ubuntu Linux (since Ubuntu Edgy). tasksel shows all available tasks and allows to user to select ones to install. Simply type tasksel as root user at a shell prompt:
$ sudo tasksel
OR
# tasksel
You should see software selection menu as follows:

Fig.01: Debian Linux tasksel command in action

Fig.02: Ubuntu Linux tasksel command in action

You can just select required group by pressing space bar and selecting OK button.

How do I list available groups from a command prompt?

The option --list-tasks list on screen the tasks (packages) that would be displayed in the tasksel TUI (text user interface). You can use it as follows:
$ tasksel --list-tasks
Sample output:

u server	Basic Ubuntu server
u dns-server	DNS server
u edubuntu-server	Edubuntu server
i lamp-server	LAMP server
u mail-server	Mail server
i openssh-server	OpenSSH server
u postgresql-server	PostgreSQL database
i print-server	Print server
i samba-server	Samba file server
u tomcat-server	Tomcat Java server
u virt-host	Virtual Machine host
u ubuntustudio-graphics	2D/3D creation and editing suite
u ubuntustudio-audio	Audio creation and editing suite
u edubuntu-desktop-kde	Edubuntu KDE desktop
u edubuntu-desktop-addon	Edubuntu desktop
u kubuntu-desktop	Kubuntu desktop
u ubuntustudio-audio-plugins	LADSPA and DSSI audio plugins
u mythbuntu-desktop	Mythbuntu additional roles
u mythbuntu-frontend	Mythbuntu frontend
u mythbuntu-backend-master	Mythbuntu master backend
u mythbuntu-backend-slave	Mythbuntu slave backend
u mobile-mid	Ubuntu MID edition
u ubuntustudio-desktop	Ubuntu Studio desktop (must install)
i ubuntu-desktop	Ubuntu desktop
u mobile-mobile	Ubuntu mobile
u ubuntustudio-video	Video creation and editing suite
u xubuntu-desktop	Xubuntu desktop
u edubuntu-live	Edubuntu live CD
u kubuntu-kde4-live	Kubuntu live CD
u kubuntu-live	Kubuntu live CD
u kubuntu-dvd-live	Kubuntu live DVD
u mythbuntu-live	Mythbuntu live CD
u ubuntu-live	Ubuntu live CD
u ubuntu-dvd-live	Ubuntu live DVD
u xubuntu-live	Xubuntu live CD

The --task-desc task option displays the extended description of the given task:
$ tasksel --task-desc virt-host
Sample output:

Packages necessary to host virtual machines

How do I install package group (tasks) from a command line?

To install lamp-server, enter:
$ sudo apt-get install lamp-server^
And yes, you CANOT forgot the carrot (^). You need to put ^ at the end of package name; otherwise it will give an error which read as follows:

E: Couldn't find package lamp-server

Further readings:

Read tasksel man page.

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