Resolving Mono Installation Errors on Ubuntu 20.04: Fix i386 Architecture Issue

Learn how to solve the `Skipping acquire of configured file` error when installing Mono on Ubuntu 20.04 and ensure proper architecture settings for a successful setup.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/72270560/ asked by the user 'Sawan Meshram' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/17456295/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/72270614/ provided by the user 'Sawan Meshram' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/17456295/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Resolving Mono Installation Errors on Ubuntu 20.04: Fix i386 Architecture Issue

When working with Ubuntu, installing essential software can sometimes lead to unexpected errors. One common issue users face is related to the Mono project, particularly an error message that says:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This error can be frustrating, especially when you're eager to get started with your development work. Fortunately, resolving this problem is simpler than it seems! Let's dive into the details of what causes this issue and how to fix it effectively.

Understanding the Problem

The problem arises when your Ubuntu 20.04 installation attempts to access a configured repository that does not contain support for the i386 architecture (32-bit). The Mono repository you are trying to access only supports the amd64 architecture (64-bit).

This means that when your system runs the sudo apt update command, it encounters files that it cannot retrieve for i386, leading to a warning message.

Why This Matters

It's critical to ensure that the repository you are using matches the architecture of your operating system. If it doesn’t, you may not be able to install the packages needed for your projects, which can delay your workflow.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

To fix this problem, you will need to modify the repository configuration for Mono in your system's sources list. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open the Sources List

Open your terminal.

Use your preferred text editor to edit the /etc/apt/sources.list file. You may need to use sudo to get the necessary permissions. For example:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Modify the Mono Repository Entry

Locate the following line in the file:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Change it to the following:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This modification explicitly tells Apt that you only want to use the amd64 architecture for the Mono repository, which resolves the error.

Step 3: Update the Package List

After you've made the changes, save the file and exit your text editor. Then, update your package list again with:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

If everything has gone correctly, you should no longer see the error regarding the i386 architecture, and you can proceed to install mono-complete without any issues.

Step 4: Install Mono

Now that the repository is correctly configured, you can install Mono by running:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By following these straightforward steps, you can eliminate the Skipping acquire of configured file error and successfully set up Mono on your Ubuntu 20.04 system. It’s a simple change to the sources list that makes a big difference in how your package manager interacts with repositories.

If you continue to encounter issues, ensure that your Ubuntu system is fully updated, and double-check your repository configurations. Happy coding with Mono!