Slackware packages tend to install stuff in a certain place, how do I know where I should install stuff for maximum compatability, e.g.

I installed OpenSSL with
--prefix=/usr/local/openssl

In the end, half the programs I was running refused to accept it was there, so I installed a slack package, everything installed/ran fine...

So does slackware packages use default prefixs? (I.E. should I have simply not have used a prefix) or do they use a certain structure?

Steve

Edit: Slackware packages installed openssl to
/usr/include/openssl wheras the "default" is /usr/local/ssl

How would I have known to instal to /usr/include/openssl ?

if you don't use a prefix, most packages default to /usr/local, which should be fine. Most distros install packages in /usr, so --prefix=/usr should be fine too. Don't use --prefix=/usr/local/xxx because then, the binaries will be installed in /usr/local/xxx/bin which is probably not in your $PATH.

I install most packages and sources to their default path. So I let it choose...
However, if I have a pre-compiled binary, or zip or something... like Firefox, or quake, or tux racer or ut2003, etc, I install them to /home/stevo/programs/xxxxx so I can keep them all together!

Okay cheers guys, but I'm still unsure why slackware installs openssl to

/usr/include/openssl

while the default is

/usr/local/ssl

historical reasons?

Steve

The Slackware convention has always been --prefix=/usr, however it is your system and can do as you like but you may have to alter some of the config during other installs if they look for everythign to be installed /usr rather than /usr/local. Installing to /usr/include is going to be decided by the app you are installing. /usr/include is part of the /usr hierarchy installing to include is necessary for some items. WHen you install a file from source typically you can get files installed in several different places. /usr/bin /usr/include /usr/lib ......

Alright, cheers :)

Steve

From what I have seen, the convention is:
/usr for stuff compiled to install on multiple systems (packages you download and stuff)
/usr/local for stuff compiled specifically for that computer

It doesnt install the program to /usr/include/openssl
it installs the header files for writing openssl programs there

If the prefix you used is "/usr/local/openssl", then you will need to add "/usr/local/openssl/bin" to your path statement and add "/usr/local/openssl/lib" to /etc/ld.so.conf and then run 'ldconfig' (as root) to let the OS find the openssl libs...........

BTW, the official Slackware pkg uses the prefix "/usr" for openssl................

Ah! So that's how to get it to work, I was mucking around with symlinks and swearing far too much!

and also I forgot to run ldconfig...!

Thank you very much geekster :)

Steve

and remember if you continue to specify a prefix that includes the app name you may have to do this rather nasty little hack every time you install.