Must I enable the root account to install Matlab?

Question

I'm trying to install Matlab R20112a on Ubuntu.

My problem is: I get access to the installation gui running ./install from a terminal, but the installer fails when it tries to write on the folder /usr/local/MATLAB/R2012a (even though I created this folder before running the installation).

I assume the problem is I need root privileges, but "root" is disabled in ubuntu.

I can install the program in my home folder, but this is not a good solution because I want access to the program for all users.

Solution 1

As explained here, you do not need to enable root logins to run commands as root. That's what sudo and its graphical frontends (like gksu/gksudo and kdesudo) are for.

Since install runs a graphical installer, and you can run it (but not as root) like ./install, you can run it as root with:

gksu ./install

Solution 2

Try running gksudo ./install from the terminal. This will run the install as root.

Solution 3

I tried the gksudo method but nothing happened.

Here's what worked for me: Download and install furius.iso, then mount the ISO. Open the mounted image, and copy the installer's filename into the terminal. Then, type "./install" and when it asks you where to install, change it to /home/your_user, ~/ or so. Tested on 15.04.

Comments

[Eliah Kagan]

If install is graphical, it should be run with a graphical frontend like gksu rather than directly with sudo.

[ish]

IIRC it's a CLI start followed by fall-forward to GUI by JRE if an X server is detected...

[Eliah Kagan]

@izx Sounds like gksu is the way to go, then (as the X server will still be detected even if it's run with straight sudo).

[ish]

Right-o, edited answer.

[earthmeLon]

Also, you can disable root login via /etc/ssh/sshd_config and prevent remote login through your root user.

[Eliah Kagan]

@earthmeLon It should be disabled in /etc/ssh/sshd_config by default already (even when the root account is permitted to log in locally or via su with a password), as that is the default in Ubuntu and, I think, every other OS with sshd. Of course, anyone who does choose to enable the root account would still be well-advised to check /etc/ssh/sshd_config to make sure it remains disabled there.

[earthmeLon]

My experience is different, @EliahKagan. I just recommend being 100% sure root isn't exposed to sshd.