I would like to know on the RedHat 9.0 cd's are the programs on it installed by binary specifically for you computer?

I am bent on trying to install the development tools (such as the GCC Compiler) from binary, and after searching for a way to do this I want to know if the GCC Compiler on the RedHat CD's is installed on your computer from binary.

Also what are the other programs on the CD installed from if there is no compiler on my system?

Thanks

all the packages on the redhat cd's are *.rpm

I don't get it. If i downlod a gcc.rpm file and I try to make it work, it will say I need a GCC compiler. How do the installation cd's install gcc.rpm if there is no compiler?

Probably there are other files that you need which are not included in the command-line. What I would suggest is trying up2date. That is as superuser, try the following command line: "up2date --install gcc" and it should get gcc and all the relevant dependencies. Or, if you're feeling brave, you can install apt4rpm and use that tool to download all the dependencies.

So how does the installer install those rpm's?

Because you have RPM installed, you can install files. You just can't compile any files because you don't have a C-Compiler. What I'm saying is that you can either download all the dependencies and specify them on the command-line (i.e. rpm -ivh somerpm.1.2.3.i386.rpm anotherrpm.1.3.5.i386.rpm etc) and it'll install all of them in the correct order, or you can let "up2date" do the work for you. What you have to understand is that just because you want to install GCC doesn't mean you just install GCC. There are other, underlying requirements, such as kernel-sources, etc which must be installed either before or at the same time. And discovering what additional files/applications you need to install to meet all the dependencies and sub-dependencies can get to be a real headache! It sometimes seems easier to reinstall with *everything* but if you use up2date and are installing common apps like a c-compiler, you shouldn't have to go to that extreme.

hmm ok.. i am going to use the cd's to get gcc n the development tools on my comp because all linux is now is a dead comp with internet...

i understand now about the rpms and how the cd's install them thx. (i am going to install gcc from the cd's right after i post this, but i still want to know) if i download the binary for gcc couldn't i install it that way? gcc binary -> srpm gcc -> then programs i want/need?

thx again

Errmm... yeah. That'll work. Just remember, don't get too disappointed by the dependencies. It may still be easier ti use up2date to install gcc as it will automagically resolve all the dependencies.