Compiling

[Robin King_1]

I've always shyed away from trying to install apps etc from the source code, because I've never really known where to start.

Does anyone know any good resources on the web to briefly explain the process behind compiling binaries for installation?

Thanks

[A. Clay Stephenson · Accepted solution]

It's normally rather easy --- for well-written packages. Generally, nothing more complicated is required than untar'ing the source code to a directory and issueing a "configure" command. Configure runs for a while, determining what compilers, linkers, libraries, you have on the system and build a Makefile. You then 'make' and it takes off.
Make it the utility that compiles, links, creates man pages, and does the final installation moves for you.

There is no documentation to explain this because the number of ways to package source is legion. My best advice is to download, untar, and then review the README file. It should explain the install/build of a particular package.

The typical "gotcha's" are trying to use the bundled C compiler when an ANSI compiler is required or not having utilities installed (make,ranlib,yacc,etc.).

[Robin King_1]

I think I have have been using badly constructed packages in the past then, because the last on I tried was a nightmare. I'm just trying one from hpux.connect.org.uk now, so I'll see how it goes.

Thanks

[Jeroen Peereboom]

L.S.

sometimes building from source is easy, but sometimes (most times) it's not so easy.
Indeed getting the C++ compiler and libraries is a 'gotcha'.
But also the correct perl version may be difficult for those who do not fully understand it. I have had bad experiences with installing something called DBD DBI (database modules for Perl).

You know there are HP-UX software portals like http://hpux.connect.org.uk?

JP.

[Jeroen Peereboom]

Well,

you know the link. My browser is slow??

JP.