Hi, I've been using linux for awhile and there is something that I need cleared up. If I download say: random_file.tar.gz and extract it and then go through the usual "make" routine is it necessary to keep the directory that was created by extracting the file or does "make install" put everything where it needs to go?

I've been keeping these directories and they're starting to clog up my system I want to know if I can safely get rid of them. Thanks.

'make clean' should clean up the directory a little. But if you don't plan on looking at the source much after the intial install, in most cases you can just remove the directory. Usually a good way to check is to see if the file installed itself to a default directory ('whereis program', see if its in /usr/bin, /usr/local/bin, etc.) or you can always skim the Makefile. The safest way would be to move the directory with all its files to a different location (or just rename it). this way, if the program still runs, you're pretty safe in removing it.

cuckoopint is right. You usually don't need to keep the directories around. I usually keep the tar.gz files buried away in /usr/src so I can run make uninstall should I decide I don't want to run a certain proggie anymore. Although... I probably don't even need to do that...

also check out 'checkinstall'
google: checkinstall

it lets u remove files that u installed with source

Thanks doublefailure!! Very cool app.