Installing Software Tarballs

INSTALLING SOFTWARE
TARBALLS ( compiling from source )

Before we start: check if you got a “c” compiler, “gcc” installed on your computer. ( usually if you choose “ development packages” during install, gcc will be on your system ):

CODE

$ whereis gcc

If no gcc is installed, now is the time to do so, the rpm's are on your CD !

IN A NUTSHELL,
Here is what needs to be done to install a tarball package:

Unpack gkrellm.tar.gz ( we take gkrellm as example )

CODE

$ tar -xvzf gkrellm.tar.gz
$ cd gkrellm
$ ./configure
$ make
$ su
< password >
# make install

IN DEPTH,
Download the gkrellm-2.0.tar.gz package to your /home directory.
Open a console:

CODE

# tar -xvzf gkrellm-2.0.tar.gz ( Will unzip the package to a new directory gkrellm-2.0 )
Note: for .tar.bz2 packages we do "tar -xvjf", for .tgz packages "tar -xvfz"
# ls ( Check the name of the new directory, it might be gkrellm2 )
# mv gkrellm-2.0 /usr/src ( Will move it to your sources directory )
# cd /usr/src/gkrellm-2.0 ( Will put you right inside the directory )
# ls ( Will list all the files in the directory )

IMPORTANT: Do read all relevant files like README and INSTALL they contain essential info about dependencies and install instructions. If no special install instructions are given:

CODE

$ ./configure

( That is dot slash configure )
If any errors occur during the configure process read the config.log, see what went wrong.
Try running "./configure --info" or "configure --help" to see if there are any commandline options you can use to solve the problem.
If it misses a special lib file, see if the file is installed, if not install it and start again.
If it is installed but the script can't find it consult the troubleshoot section below.

If configure did not report any errors:

CODE

$ make ( Might take some time )
$ su
< password >
# make install ( bingo ! )
Ctrl+d ( back to normal user )
$ cd ( back to home directory )

In the last few lines printed to your screen, make install will tell you where to find the executable, relevant files and doc's. Note this down it saves you searching for it as you want to change the config file for the program.
If the compiling was successful you can now run the program by typing "gkrellm" at the prompt. ( most likely the executable will be "in your path" /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin )

If you like, you can remove the sources if you're done "rm -rf gkrellm-2.0" but if you've got enough space on your HD just leave it there, makes a re-install ( only "make" and "make install" ) easy.

Well if you're still there with me, BRAVO !

Bruno

-- Apr 26 2003 ( Revised Dec 11 2005 ) --