I need to compile some programs in linux mint 18 not available in the repos. Which essential tools are a minimum?

you need to say - at least - the language. Or what do you think, how can we suggest to compile "something"?
In general you need to install the package buid-essential. but in your case I have no idea...

The gcc and gcc-c++ compilers as well as any other compiler programs that come with Mint 18

The development packages for all of the libraries and programs that are required by the programs you are compiling.

Do you have a GUI package manager? That will help you enormously.

Beyond that, download the source for the programs you want to compile and try to compile it. If anything is missing, the compile process should tell you want is missing. You will then have to get the missing pieces and again try to compile your programs, and keep repeating this process until you can get your programs compiled.

Hi Sammy1243,

Welcome to LQ!

If you install the gcc package, it should drag everything else you need in with it.

As others have said, you should already have the tools that you need, but if not then you will find out what's missing during the compilation process and any missing packages will be easily installed.

Which packages are we talking about?

apt-cache show build-essential
and in case you want to creat deb-packages
apt-cache show devscripts
apt-cache show debhelper

https://wiki.debian.org/Packaging/In...ebianPackaging

... and although this installs the "GCC Compiler Suite," I'm not sure that it installs every language compiler that the Suite includes. These will be found in separate packages, which you can also search for with "apt-cache show."

Install with, say, "apt-get install ..."

And there are other, unrelated, languages and compiler systems for Linux also.

If it's Linux based software your talking about, the gcc compiler collection (as xode's has said) should be what you need. Best of luck!