Another Compiling question

**vwgtiturbo** · 07-23-2004, 10:01 PM

Yes, now that I have pretty much totally moved to Linux, I will have more questions over the coming days... sorry...
Okay, I downloaded the source for a few programs and have some questions about compiling...
When I extract the archives, most of them have alot of files AND an /src directory in them. For example, foo.tar.gz extracted gives me file1, file2, file3, and an /src directory. Usually, the /src directory is what contains the 'configure' script, so I am assuming that the /src directory in the archive is the source that I need to compile (and I need to cd into that directory to configure, make, checkinstall)??? If that is the case, what is the purpose of the other files above the /src directory. If I am not clear, let me know, and I will post some screenshots. Thanks.

**friskydrifter** · 07-23-2004, 10:14 PM

Im am not the expert on this but with source usually go to wherever configure is and type ./configure

then after that type make

then make install

basic instructions but i think you can get more by typing say
./configure --help sometimes

LOL thats about it for me ;D

**SkyNet** · 07-24-2004, 01:01 AM

Sometimes those files are needed for the compilation, and other times they are README.txt and even still can be extra configuration scripts, etc.... It depends on the program.