RE: newbie question about installing software

["Brian Cyr" <brian palmmortuary com>]

The easiest way is to look for a "binary distribution" of the software you
want.  RPMs, IMHO, are the easiest way to install software.

If you have a software package that ends in .rpm then you would type:
rpm -Uvh NameOfTheFile.rpm

Guys correct me if I am wrong here.  I know -i is for installing but
doesn't -Uvh work as well?

If all you can find is a tarball (ends in .tar) then you need to unarchive
it first.  This is like the Linux world's equivalent of a .zip file (Yes I
know there are "real" zips out there)

To untar a tarball, you can type this:
tar -xvf NameOfTheFile.tar

If the file ends in .tar.gz then you would type:
tar -zxvf NameOfTheFile.tar.gz
The .gz just means they took the .tar and compressed it.  (usually with
gzip)

When you untar this tarball, you are going to end up with a directory full
of files.
>From here the methods vary.  The newer packages come with a program called
configure.  In that case you would "USUALLY" type in:
./configure
make
make install

Now I say USUALLY, you should ALWAYS read the INSTALL and README files if
they exist.  The author will usually give you directions on installation in
there.  In the cases where the configure script is not included these files
will contain information about what file(s) to edit to make sure the
executable ends up in the directory you want.

One more thing.  If you did not install a C compiler when you installed your
Linux then you not be able to install many packages.  What a tarball usually
is, is a collection of source files that can be built specifically for your
machine.  But to do so, you need to have a compiler and linker installed.
Don't sweat it though, it probably already is.

-----Original Message-----
From: redhat-list-admin redhat com
[mailto:redhat-list-admin redhat com]On Behalf Of James Ferris
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 12:05 PM
To: redhat-list redhat com
Subject: newbie question about installing software


Hi list...
OKay, I'm a windows guy. I'm used to 'run the setup program'.

Where might I look to learn 'some' of the ways and means of
installing software for linux?
I've been hearing about rpm's and tar-files,
and have read the how-to's I could find. (not a lot of basics)
(only 1,670,000 hits on google - ack)
Unfortunately, I have not found a "how-to for dummies". LOL

I think I need something that describes what each install-type is,
why you'd use one before the other,
and then how to 'usually' go about doing each type of install.

Please help with simple, favorite suggestions!

Thanks for any help.
James
----------------------------------------------------------------------
JAMES E. FERRIS, B.Sc. Eng., MCSE
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780)473-6517
email: jeferris shaw ca
or: james_e_ferris yahoo ca
resume: http://members.shaw.ca/jeferris
links: http://members.shaw.ca/jeferris/links



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