1. | Download the source code file. Filenames are packagename.version .tar.gz. For example, the source code file for PHP could be named php-5.0.2.tar.gz. The directory /src or /local/src is often used to store source code. |
2. | Unpack the tarball. cd /local/src gunzip -c packagename .tar.gz | tar -xf - A new directory called packagename is created with several subdirectories. Change to the new directory (e.g., cd packagename). |
3. | Read any installation notes. Often you see files such as INSTALL.TXT. |
4. | Set up the configuration files needed to compile. Type:./configure Often you use options with the configure command, as follows:./configure option option The installation instructions will explain the available options. Lines are output as the configure procedure runs. This step may take several minutes. If there's a problem, an information error message displays. |
5. | Compile the software. Type:make You will see many lines of output. This step may take a few minutes. The executable files are created in this step. |
6. | Install the software. Type:make install This step copies the files into the proper locations. |