How to update ncbi-blast+?

Question

[ongchip]

Hi, I installed ncbi-blast+.

sudo apt-get install ncbi-blast+

I checked the version and it was 2.9.0+.

blastn -version

However, the latest version of ncbi-blast+ is 2.16.0+. I downloaded tar.gz file and unzipped it, but I don't know where these files should be moved. How can I update ncbi-blast+ from 2.9.0+ to 2.16.0+?

Answer 1

[GenoMax]

You can put the files in any location. Just make sure that location appears first in your $PATH.

See configuration section: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK52640/

In step one noted in book above, put your new blast directory first (as opposed to what is shown there) : export PATH=/location_of/ncbi-blast-2.16.0+/bin:$PATH

Answer 2

[Mensur Dlakic]

I would not suggest that you keep multiple copies of different BLAST program versions on the same computer. Instead, I think it is easier to simply overwrite the old version. To do so, you need to find where the old programs are installed.

which blastn

This should give you a current location of the program - let's say you get /usr/bin/blastn as a response. Now you go to the bin directory of the unzipped 2.16.0+ archive (be sure that blastp, blastn, etc. are there) and move all the programs to the location of existing BLAST programs.

cd /path_to/ncbi-blast-2.16.0+/bin
sudo mv * /usr/bin

I am using /usr/bin as an example but you should type instead a directory from the previous command.

[GenoMax]

Since apt-get was used to install blast+ it may be simpler to remove that version with apt remove orapt purge.