I downloaded "jboss-4.2.2.GA-src.tar.gz", did I choose the right one? is this a package that only contains source files? do I have to compile them into binaries before I can install it? if so, how to do that? how to install it, and how to configure the JBoss Application Server to make it running?

Actually, I saw a "jboss-4.2.2.GA.zip" package on the download site, with .zip suffix, I am not sure whether it is suitable for Linux, so I haven't chosen it, is it a compressed file that only works on Windows?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Please edit your profile to show your distro and location.
Note that there are distro specific solutions to your question.

If you want to know what's in the tarball, look inside. If you see a file called "README", read it.

http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Enterprise-Jav...x-HOWTO-7.html

yea, I have already edited my profile, I am from China, and running a Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.
I am new to everything about Linux.

I find its commands so powerful though I know just a little bit of them, I hope someday that I am no longer a questioner, but a answerer when I come here.

Well, for the moment, that's the problem gets me stuck, please help me.
Your help will be greatly appreciated!!!