Compiling programs and KDE

[James Wilkinson]

Rob Rosenthal wrote:
> 1.	Okay, so I take it if the README or INSTALL file in a tarball does 
> NOT specify a particular --prefix, I need not specify one when compiling 
> UNLESS I want to decide where I want the program to install itself.  Is 
> that right?

Normally, if you try
./configure --help
you'll get a lot of output looking somewhat like this:
Usage: configure [options] [host]
Options: [defaults in brackets after descriptions]
<snip>
Directory and file names:
  --prefix=PREFIX         install architecture-independent files in PREFIX
                          [/usr/local]

So if you don't enter --prefix, it will default to /usr/local.

> 
> 2.	Since I compile some programs myself but mostly use yum to install 
> rpms and keep updated, what is the neatest way to keep things organized 
> with a minimum of problems and conflicts?

Well, *I* think keeping compiled programs in /usr/local makes the most
sense. I do allow other people to have different opinions...

James.

-- 
James Wilkinson       | Strangely enough, this last one is interrupted by
Exeter    Devon    UK | twelve dancing rabbits singing about toilet paper.
E-mail address: james |     -- The megahal program, trained on my quote file.
@westexe.demon.co.uk  |