---
title: "Installing Software on the HPC"
canonical: "https://kb.uconn.edu/space/SH/26498826291/Installing%20Software%20on%20the%20HPC"
format: markdown
---
Installing software has a steep learning curve. We have made several guides to help you along the way. They are not comprehensive, but hopefully, they will get you started. 

- **[Spack Package Manager](https://kb.uconn.edu/space/SH/26074480709/Spack+Package+Manager)**

Spack is a program that handles all the tricky steps of installing programs for you. If you’re new to software installation, trying to install a program with Spack is a great place to start!

- **[Compiling and Installing Software from Source](https://kb.uconn.edu/space/SH/26033587644/Compiling+Software)**

This page offers a framework for how to approach installing software on the HPC from source code (i.e., *without* Spack). It is not recommended for beginners. 

- **[Miniconda: Installation & Environment Setup](https://kb.uconn.edu/space/SH/26079723879/Miniconda+Environment+Set+Up)**

Miniconda is a stripped-down version of [Anaconda](https://docs.anaconda.com/free/anaconda/getting-started/what-is-distro/) that allows users to create self-contained Python or R environments to do research. This page explains how to install Miniconda and set up environments.

- **Containers: Making Software Portable & Reproducible**
  - **[Apptainer Guide](https://kb.uconn.edu/space/SH/26231799924/Apptainer+Guide)****: **This gives a general overview of how and when to use Apptainer to “container-ize” your software. Containers are particularly useful for software which require old dependencies.
  - **[Advanced Apptainer Guide](https://kb.uconn.edu/space/SH/26270662737/Advanced+Apptainer+Guide)**: This page builds on the above guide by taking a deeper dive into the syntax HPC users can use to customize their containers for optimal efficiency.