How To Test A Package Without Installing It Using Nix In Linux

This tutorial shows you how to use the Nix package manager to create temporary shell environments for testing software without installation. This is perfect for quick experimentation and avoiding system clutter.

Table of Contents

- Ad Hoc Shell Environments

• Test Packages Without Installation
• Multiple Programs in One Environment
• Nested Nix Shell Sessions
• Running Programs Directly
• Summary

Ad Hoc Shell Environments with Nix

Nix's ad hoc shell environments are a powerful feature. They let you try out software packages without permanently adding them to your system. This is ideal for temporary use or testing.

Key benefits include:

• Easy Experimentation: Quickly test various software without installation. Try different compilers (like gcc), interpreters (like python), or other tools.
• Isolated Development: Create isolated environments for projects, preventing dependency conflicts with your system packages.
• Version Control: Specify exact package versions for reproducible results across different environments. Easily switch between versions for testing.
• Collaboration: Share precise environments (including packages) using Nix expressions for consistent development among team members.
• One-Off Tasks: Use a tool for a single task, then discard the environment. Perfect for utilities like curl, jq, or imagemagick.
• Learning: Set up environments with specific tools for tutorials or learning new languages without system-wide changes.

These environments are lightweight, temporary, and flexible, providing a clean way to work with specific tools.

Testing Packages Without Installation

Ensure Nix is installed. (See "How To Install Nix Package Manager In Linux" for instructions if needed).

To test a C/C program without installing gcc, create a temporary shell environment:

$ nix-shell -p gcc

This downloads gcc and dependencies, launching a Bash shell with gcc available. Check the version:

$ gcc -v

After testing, type exit or press CTRL D to leave the environment. gcc will no longer be accessible outside this shell.

Another example: Test the hello program:

$ nix-shell -p hello
$ hello
Hello, world!
$ exit

hello is only available within the nix-shell session.

Multiple Programs in One Environment

To use gcc and python3 together, create a single environment:

$ nix-shell -p gcc python3

This gives you access to both. You can compile C/C code and run Python scripts within this shell. The same approach works for any combination of packages. For example, to use cowsay and lolcat:

$ nix-shell -p cowsay lolcat
$ cowsay "Hello!" | lolcat

Nested Nix Shell Sessions

You can create nested shells. For instance, starting within an existing nix-shell, you can create another:

$ nix-shell -p git nodejs ruby

This adds git, nodejs, and ruby to the current temporary environment. exit returns you to the previous shell.

Running Programs Directly

Run programs directly within the nix-shell:

$ nix-shell -p gcc --run "gcc -o hello hello.c"

This compiles hello.c. Run the compiled program with ./hello. Similarly for Python:

$ nix-shell -p python3 --run "python3 my_script.py"

You can also run command-line utilities:

$ nix-shell -p cowsay lolcat --run "cowsay Testing Nix" | lolcat

If the command is just the program name, quotes aren't needed:

$ nix-shell -p hello --run hello

Summary

This tutorial demonstrated how to use Nix's ad hoc shell environments for quick and clean software testing without installation. These temporary environments are invaluable for experimentation and managing dependencies. Refer to "Getting Started With Nix Package Manager" and "How To Create Development Environments With Nix-shell In Linux" for more advanced usage.

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