installing applications

yiang · 09-12-2004, 12:18 AM

Is there is a prefered directory to install linux applications like a 'program files' folder in Windows? I want to try to install some applications and I just want to make sure I'm installing them to the right place.

Thanks in advance.

IBall · 09-12-2004, 12:52 AM

You can install anywhere, but /opt or /usr/local are generally used for programs that you install. You will need to place a link to the executable in /usr/bin, so that users can execute the program by just typing its name. "ln -s /full/path/to/executable /usr/bin"
Note that you will need to be root to install programs in these locations.

I hope this helps
--Ian

yiang · 09-12-2004, 12:20 PM

okay ... and thanks for the link tip. I didn't know that.

Ebel · 09-12-2004, 01:03 PM

If you are installing from source tarball, ie the file you downloaded ended with .tar.gz, .tar.bz, .tgz or .tbz, then it will install everything in the right place. Mostly /usr or /usr/local. I'm pretty sure RPMs are similar.

The thing about linux programmes (or packages as they are sometimes called), is that one programme is not stored in just one directory, like in windows. Some programmes are spread out a bit. the binary (ie executables) are put in /usr/bin, the libraries (kinda like DLLs) in /usr/lib, etc.