how do you update software (from source)?

alexbib · 09-15-2008, 08:17 PM

Hello,

How do I update software that I compiled from source? Do I have to uninstall it (and if so, how do I do that?), or do I just compile the newer source and make install will overwrite the previous version?

Thanks,
Alex

John VV · 09-15-2008, 08:49 PM

well first you need to STILL have the original source code saved in say
/usr/src
example: mine for gimp
/usr/src/gimp-2.4.6

Code:

su - ( or sudo)
cd /usr/src/gimp-2.4.6
make uninstall 
cd ../gimp-2.4.7
exit
./configure --prefix=/usr --with-desktop-dir=/usr/share/applications
make 
su -
make install 
cd ../
rm -R gimp-2.4.6

klearview · 09-15-2008, 08:52 PM

'make install' will not necessarily overwrite already installed files. Read README/INSTALL in source directory of both versions.

To uninstall you might be able to run 'make uninstall' in source directory of the old version (if Makefile provides for this - many packages do not provide for 'make uninstall' - in this case you'll just have to delete installed files by hand).

nowshining · 09-15-2008, 08:54 PM

make install should overwrite the install with the newer version.

weibullguy · 09-15-2008, 09:05 PM

If the package uses GNU autotools, youll need to have the source configured exactly as you configured it for the install. That is, you either keep the source tree or remember the configure options you passed so you can re-create the Makefile. When the package comes with a Makefile hope it has an uninstall target.

If you plan to install a grunch 'o' packages from source, I recommend you use an app to keep track of what gets installed. Something like paco or installwatch. It will ease package removal. If you only plan to install a handful of packages from source, install them in your $HOME instead of system-wide.

John VV · 09-15-2008, 11:50 PM

or if you have more than one install of the same program .For example I have the Celestia 1.5.1 installed system wide and the svn build in it's own directory /usr/opt/Celestia_svn .The same gor gimp and gimp svn ( gnome tree)

and if you did not add any tags to configure( or use the same tags) and do not have the old code still on the machine or you ran " make distclean " on the old code .Then make install on the NEW code " should ??"
over wright the old install .