Where do you install most programs?
 

Hello, I am just getting into using linux as a workstation.
Where do you compile most of your additional software? What directory?

Thanks.

"Where do you compile most of your additional software? What directory?"

In Linux programs are almost always installed from install packages. There are several kinds of install packages available but one thing they have in common is that the install package selects the directories in which to install. A few packages give you the option of overriding the package default so that you can install elsewhere.

As a general rule you don't have to worry about where the package goes and if you care there are ways to find out.

If you are compiling your own home grown software then I suggest that you create a directory in the /usr tree and put your software there. Something like:
/usr/local/myprogs
and then put /usr/local/myprogs on the PATH.

hmmm

If I download a program, untar it, and compile/install it..
can I delete the files I used to compile/install it? will the program still work?

Generally when you compile from source you don't need to keep it. Programs install mostly in /usr/local tree. In those subfolders you'll find your program.
Yes, it is safe to delete it (99.999% of the time that is)
So, yes, go right ahead.