Where do I put the software?

tentonipete · 07-09-2003, 06:14 AM

This probably makes me sound really stupid. I have downloaded things, compiled and installed them (mozilla firebird for example) put them somewhere and i can run them. I just want to know what the linux equivalent of program files is so I can put an application there and everyone can use it. Do you need to move the binaries to a different directory?

thanks.

aizkorri · 07-09-2003, 06:44 AM

Hi, binaries are usually located in /usr/bin /usr/local/bin,...when you install them. If you want users to execute any of them you have to add these directories to their PATH (they should be there by default). If even doing that they cannot execute some binary you should change the permissions, but it usualy happens with apps that should not be executed by normal users.

whansard · 07-09-2003, 07:10 AM

some programs that consist of many files install in
/usr/lib/<program> and put a symlink in /usr/local/bin
/usr is the equivalent of "Program Files"
sometimes /opt

mhearn · 07-09-2003, 07:24 AM

FireBird is a bit of an odd app, in Linux terms.

I normally put it in /opt/firebird

tjm · 07-09-2003, 07:59 AM

Generally speaking applications install themselves to /usr/bin and /usr/local/bin, but there is no enforced Linux equivalent of Program Files.

If you install by RPM then the command rpm -e [package name] will uninstall the application.

If you compile the app yourself, and then install, then it is less obvious. Lots of source packages give you instructions on installation like this:
./configure
make
make install

These are standard autoconf? packages. Usually you can remove them with the command 'make remove' (from within the source directory). If you deleted the source directory, just untar it again, type './configure' and then 'make remove'. Just make sure that if you gave configure any arguments first time around, that you give the same ones this time.

Anyway, that is what I do.

Cheers,

-TJM

gbbenson · 07-09-2003, 08:08 AM

Different Unix versions like their apps in different directories. For example, on HP-UX platforms, the xterm binary sits in /usr/X11/bin, while on Solaris platforms, xterm sits in /usr/openwin/bin. There is a movement to standardize where various apps should go, called the "File System Hierarchy" (FHS) standard. Go to this page:

http://www.pathname.com/fhs/

It might help you out.

tentonipete · 07-09-2003, 03:52 PM

thanks guys... this is still kind of confusing but i'll work something out...

Mikx · 07-09-2003, 09:39 PM

the promgram files equivalent for me is /usr/local. i put netscape there, java, gimp

usually you can specify where you want to install your program by adding the --prefix=/program/location when you do a ./configure

e.g ./configure --prefix=/usr/local