How to plant a cool digital bonsai tree on your computer screen in Ubuntu

Digital bonsai tree, who would’ve thought that you can grow one on an Ubuntu machine. Embarking on the Linux learning journey presents a significant learning curve. Sometimes, it’s beneficial to take a break and engage in a refreshing activity, such as planting a digital tree.

In this article, I will lead you through the process of planting a captivating digital bonsai tree, which you can set as a wallpaper for your Ubuntu box.

For those unfamiliar with agriculture basics, a bonsai tree is an art form originating from Japan, the land of the rising sun. The objective is to replicate the shape and scale of full-sized trees through specialized cultivation techniques. These miniature trees are carefully nurtured in small containers.

Guide on how to plant a cool digital bonsai tree: Getting your Ubuntu environment ready to compile C++ code

To begin, install the build-essential package, encompassing all the necessary tools for constructing Ubuntu packages from C or C++.

However, before proceeding, ensure to routinely update and upgrade your Ubuntu installation. Execute the following command for this essential step.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Next install the build-essential package by running the command below into the terminal.

sudo apt install build-essential

Since the code is hosted at gitlab run the command enable pulling packages from there.

sudo apt install build-essential git pkgconf

To prevent encountering the fatal error “ncurses.h: no such file or directory,” make sure to have the ncurses library installed. Execute the following command for installation.

sudo apt install libncurses6 libncurses-dev ncurses-base ncurses-bin

Transitioning to the next step, commence compiling and installing the program by executing the commands below.

git clone https://gitlab.com/jallbrit/cbonsai
cd cbonsai
make install PREFIX=~/.local

You will get the results below if compilation finishes successfully.

cc -Wall -pedantic    cbonsai.c  -lncurses -ltinfo -lpanel  -o cbonsai
install -TDm 0755 cbonsai /home/tech201/.local/bin/cbonsai

Guide on how to plant a cool digital bonsai tree: Getting started with the bonsai tree generator

Navigate to the installation directory of cbonsai. Execute the following command to run the program.

~/.local/bin/cbonsai

For a live view of the bonsai tree growth, utilize the following command.

~/.local/bin/cbonsai --live

To configure the digital bonsai tree as a screensaver, input the following command.

~/.local/bin/cbonsai --screensaver

For adding a custom message to your bonsai, employ the following command.

~/.local/bin/cbonsai -l -m "Welcome to tech201"

Digital Art On Linux

You can explore more on creating digital art on Linux with the video below:

Conclusion on the topic of how to plant a cool digital bonsai tree

Running Linux opens up a myriad of possibilities, and witnessing a digital bonsai tree flourish on your screen is one noteworthy experience among them.

Embarking on unconventional endeavors adds an element of enjoyment and imagination to the learning process. It allows you to delve into uncharted territories, fostering exploration and the acquisition of new skills along the way.