Learning about the structure of applications
 

I'd like to efficiently learn about the process of package management and maintenance in linux distributions, compiling from source, the process of how instructions in source code get to the machine, and how to monitor the related processes at runtime. Where do I start? How long would it take to learn the basics? What tools do I need? I'm using Debian 9.7.

I'd think the answers to those questions would be far too big for a single forum post. There are plenty of guides and alike on the Internet that talk about all of those things.

I'm not trying to be rude to you, but you really need to look these things up if you're interested. Then if you have any specific questions that you are unsure about after doing this, then it's time to ask the question(s).

This is why I am asking. I would like to know how to go forward on finding the information, and how to gather it efficiently. I don't want to search endlessly for random things without understanding what I'm looking for. The broadness is also why I posted it on this forum and section. I'm not looking for a single answer, I would like recommendations of places to read, and the important concepts.

I'm posting this here because of the broadness. I'm not asking for specific answers. I want to to be directed to resources to learning the important concepts quickly without randomly searching when I'm not sure what I should be searching for in the first place.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in the General forum and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

You have asked about everything from package management, to machine maintenance and monitoring, and the many ways that source code might end up becoming machine instructions. It is difficult for others to even suggest a starting point because the broadness of the question covers pretty much everything.

As such, the advice already given is probably the best - begin with internet searches of the terms which interest you, and broaden or narrow your searches as you learn more.

Also, please review the Site FAQ for guidance in posting your questions and general forum usage. Especially, read the link in that page, How To Ask Questions The Smart Way. The more effort you put into understanding your problem and framing your questions, the better others can help!

Good luck!

Well then, the answer should be obvious. So as I was saying before, and what astrogeek has also said; start by doing a search for "package management in linux", then if you want to know about compiling software, your next search would be something like "compiling from source" and/or "compiling software", or similar. It's not hard to do a couple of web searches. I know there most certainly IS entire articles about "package management in Linux" for one thing, but far from limited to.

Then once again, if you still have questions/something isn't clear to you, then ask the question(s)...

Here's a few generalities HussarHussar. The most basic is of course compiling from source which most often requires development packages of gcc and it's dependencies. When you download a source arcgive, once unpacked, it will have a README and/or an INSTALL file in text form. reading these will reveal any available configure options and/or special needs. For example some software will require special compilers. One example would be "cmake" as opposed to the more common "make". The large majority simply require
The problem with compiling from source is (1) there is no one-step way to completely uninstall with "make install", and (2) many distros are nowhere near vanilla in that they alter variables to suit their package managers especially the ones that automate dependency resolution. One of the biggest differences between different distros is what package manager they employ so if you want to know all of them you will need to research each of the main ones - deb, rpm, txz, and gentoo's emerge.

I hope this helps you.

Honestly, isn't the LFS handbook a pretty good place to start?