Ani

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I am new to Linux and have some problems understanding the differences between the different ways to install software.

As an example I want to setup Apache to use SSL, PHP, and MySQL.
I have found numerous documents on the web on how to do this in RedHat Linux.

I completed my RedHat 9 fresh install without any problems. During the install process I picked several packages including apache, mod_ssl, openssl, mysql.

I understand that I can add new packages to the system by running this command.
# rpm –ivh filename.rpm

All the documentation on how to setup Apache/SSL/PHP/MySQL say to download the source files like openssl-0.9.4.tar.gz and to extract them and then install them by ./configure, make, make install.

My first question is if I download a new program in a non-rpm format "program.tar.gz" and then I install it using make, etc. how would I be able to update it later?

With the RPMs it is very easy to do, but if I just build the program using the .tar.gz file it will not show up in the RPM database.

If I follow the directions to setup Apache/SSL/PHP/MySQL it says to run this command to install Apache with mod_ssl:
$SSL_BASE=…/openssl-0.9.4 ./configure –prefix=/usr/local/apache –active-module=src/modules/php4/libphp4.a –enable-module=php4 –enable-module=ssl.

The problem I have is that the Apache, MySQL, and openssl were all installed when RH was installed as RPMs. I no longer have the source to find "configure". How would I get Apache to recompile with MySQL, PHP, and openssl if they are already installed as RPMs?
Would I have to un-install the RPMs, then download the .tar.gz sources follow the directions on the web? Then I would not be able to update these programs using RPM.

What process should I follow for installing new software RPM or .tar.gz? If RPM then how do I recompile it later as in my Apache example?

lokee

Hi,
You've been searching too far! RH9 has what you need on the supplied CDs.
There's even a GUI to install packages from them!

Try: /usr/bin/redhat-config-packages

Go into the "Web Server" section, open it.
Select the packages you wanna install.
Click update, and follow the instructions.

Best regards,

Mara

You download a new version or a patch if it's provided. Then there's recompilation.

Quote:

With the RPMs it is very easy to do, but if I just build the program using the .tar.gz file it will not show up in the RPM database.

When you're installing an RPM file, your RPM database is upgraded. When you compile from source, it isn't.

Quote:

The problem I have is that the Apache, MySQL, and openssl were all installed when RH was installed as RPMs. I no longer have the source to find "configure". How would I get Apache to recompile with MySQL, PHP, and openssl if they are already installed as RPMs?

You need to decide if you'd like to use RPMs or compile from source. It's very hard to mix them. In this case, the only option is to get Apache, MySQL, PHP and openssl source and compile everyting. Or just download RPMs...

Quote:

Would I have to un-install the RPMs, then download the .tar.gz sources follow the directions on the web? Then I would not be able to update these programs using RPM.

That's true. I suggest not to uninstall RPMs, keep them. I think that RH-compiled Apache should have support for all you need build in.

Quote:

What process should I follow for installing new software RPM or .tar.gz? If RPM then how do I recompile it later as in my Apache example?

That's your decision. And your personal preference. I rather suggest RPMs. Compiling from source can sometimes be hard when problems appear (they're sometimes really ahrd to solve). But source-compiled software, with optimalization for your machine gives better performance.

Ani

Thanks for all the help.

It seems then that it comes down to personnel preference as to what to use RPMs or source code.
Both have their strong points and weakness. Thus a decision would have to be made weighing the options of both.

Please correct me, but I would then deduce that although you could have a mixed system, RPM installed software + source code installed software it would not be advisable from an administrative point of view.

Is there no way to add a program that was downloaded, compiled, installed on a system to the RPM database so that later it can be upgraded if RH releases a new version of it in RPM format??

Example: say that RH does have a RPM for software "foobar2.rpm".
This is NOT installed on the computer.
Instead a download file "foobar3.tar.gz" IS downloaded and installed (tar, configure, make, make install).

Somehow the foobar3.tar.gz is added to the RPM database as foobar3.rpm

Later RH releases foobar4.rpm.
Use rpm –U foobar4.rpm

Is this possible to do? How?

Mara

In theory, it is possible. But if you look into the method how to build an RPM file (http://www.rpm.org/support/RPM-HOWTO.html), it's not simple and IMHO it's not worth the time.

phantom0810

To install Apache+MySQL+Php, I think it's better to use source of Apache and Php but for MySQL, rpm is OK.
Because you can do a lot of settings(options) while compiling source, like prefix, enable-<modules>.
When compile MySQL into Php just use the option "--with-mysql"

O.G.