Audacity uses several "libraries." Libraries are incomplete programs that add capabilities to other programs or applications. Libraries can be shared between programs. The libraries needed by Audacity will be installed automatically.

Audacity can use the JACK Audio Connection Kit. You should install JACK before installing Audacity. Follow the instructions in Section 2.3.1, “Install and Configure JACK” to install JACK. We recommend using Audacity without JACK, but JACK is installed whether or not you use it.