How to compile source code

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1

Hey All.

I made the switch from Windows to Linux the other week. It’s been pretty good. OpenSuse has pretty much every program I want, or available to install. But I sometimes see some only available in source code, so I’d like to know how to compile and install it.

I found this page Compiling software - openSUSE about it. But I got stuck at the part where it says

“First you need to install the development tools. In YaST, go to Software Management, then filter on Selections. Choose at least C/C++ Compiler and Tools. You might also need KDE, Gnome and Tcl/Tk Development and in some cases Kernel Development. The only drawback of installing all this together is a loss of disk space.”

I opened up Software Management and typed in C++ and tons of things to install popped up. I have no clue what compiler(s) to install, which is the best, etc. If someone can tell me exactly which ones I should install, that would be great.

Thanks.

EDIT: I’m using GNOME is that makes any difference.

2

at a minimum, installing kernel-sources, gcc/gcc++ & make will see you through a compile. adding gnome-devel will help in some gnome compiles

Andy

3

On openSUSE 11.0, I choose filter on ‘Patterns’, scroll down to the checkbox ‘Base Development’
and check that. (It’ll bring in tons of stuff.) Do ‘accept’ and let it all install.

My 2-cents worth…

Dave

4

I would agree with deltaflyer44. At minimum you should need:

  • kernel-source
  • gcc (I use gcc43)
  • gcc-c++ (I use gcc43-c++)
  • make

Then I would also suggest these because every once in a while they pop up:

  • automake
  • flex
  • bison

After these are installed, you should be good to handle a majority of the stuff out there. Everyonce in a while, something might need something, but it should alert you near the bottom of the output what it is needing.

5

Thanks for the replies. So I think I’ve installed those things you listed antiparadigm.

(cookdav I searched patterns and couldn’t see base development, maybe I don’t have the repository?)

Anyway, I guess I’m not doing it right, or I don’t have everything I need installed. I’m trying to compile/install the linux poweriso program. (PowerISO - Create, Edit, Extract, Mount, Compress, Encrypt, Split ISO file, ISO/BIN converter, Virtual Drive, DAA)

It’s untarred. And I open up the terminal in gnome and type ./configure and I get “bash: ./configure: No such file or directory”
I type cd and the directory of where the package is, and then ./configure and I get the same error.
I type ./configure poweriso and I get the same error.

Can someone please help?

Thanks.

6

In the list of files in the PowerISO directory there should be some text files such as README and INSTALL with instructions for installing the package.