How to Install a .tar.gz application file

Author:-Keith Antoine: kantoine@eastwind.com.au
With additional help from Alan K. Jackson ajackson@icct.net
 

This can be a thorny one for young players. Its not so much
installation of apps as which apps. Those that are generic or not
written for say KDE can be a real pain if you do not know what you
are doing and/or not familiar with linux.

To install any application its::

#1 Download the .tar.gz file to a folder, I use one called downloads,
I am a genius at names !!

#2 Invoke a konsole andtype in:: tar zxvf (name of file).tar gz: this will
make  a folder of the same name as the .tar.gz file but no tar gz attached.
(the file is now uncompressed)

#3 cd into the new directory, or better still view the files in KFM and
click your way into the new folder. I along with most users in the lists
would insist that you read the following files: README and INSTALL files
if present (if they are not there then I suspect the application, as some
form of docs are necessary)

#4 After reading and the files now you are going to install taking into
account any special instructions in the readme files. Type in::
./configure and hit return, (note the ./ prior to the command this is very
important: This will now work for a few moments or minutes and give you back a
:prompt
Note:: If you wish to install the application in a place of your choosing then
you may use --prefix option i.e ./configure --prefix=/local/bin

#5 When configure has finished and you have a prompt again, Type in:: make

#6 When make has finished you then need to su and put in password this then
is as root, and is nneded for permissions and install to root folders.

#7 Now type in:: make install
You are esssentially now finished, so type in exeit to get back to user.

This the finishes the install proceedure, however when its compiling
keep an eye out for warnings and also for errors and where they occur also
what the warning or error says. This is so you can quote this in the list
when you post questions.

There is a check you can do by typing in as the last item:: make check
This does not work in all cases, only if the programmer has put checks in.

If the install is really needed then ask with relevant data for help
in the list. I would warn that you try to go for a stable install, not
early compiles or beta stuff for now at least.

You will come across applications that do not have a configure file and
you may have to edit the makefile, this is not any easy task for beginners.
I suggest under these circumstances you read the makefile carefully and
ask the appropriate questions in the list. If the file is an obscure
one not usually used you may be on your own.