Update samtools to the latest version

Question

[Gene_MMP8]

Apologies if this has already been answered, but if I want to update samtools 1.3 to the latest release, what's the best way to go about it? Uninstall the older version first and then do a fresh install, or is there a update command that automatically does that from the terminal?

[WouterDeCoster]

I'd suggest you start using conda, then everything becomes lots easier.

Answer 1

[Devon Ryan]

Remove the old version and install the new one (or just install the new one over top). But really, as Wouter mentioned, conda is your friend: conda install -c bioconda samtools. I recommend making a separate conda environment for each software version, since then you don't have to worry something breaking because you've accidentally up/down-graded some random dependency of another tool.

[Gene_MMP8]

Thanks for suggesting conda. I installed it. It's really useful to keep such an environment for hassle free software installation.