Downloading programs
 

This is such a basic question, but I wondering....
When you download and program, to which directory should you download it? I typically download into /tmp and extract it here. So then the program folder in /tmp, to which I navigate into and do the typical ./configure, make, and make install. I'm sure there is a better place to do it.

So, when downloading and installing programs, where is the best place to do this?

Thanks.

ET

I would say under /usr/something ie: /usr/local or /usr/src
You could even create a directory under usr called MyDownloads
if you want to keep it simple.
/usr/MyDownloads
That way you can keep track of what you have installed manually.

Anywhere you want.

However, my recommendation is to create some sort of tree in your home dir (you only need root for make install).

eg. ~/apps

This would also help should you need to make uninstall some apps you no longer need.

I generally download them to ~/files/downloads If it is a programme source, then I extract it to ~/files/programmes/sources

the /opt directory is meant to be optional programs (as in downloaded or installed) but it really doesn't matter.