Hello,

I am brand new to Linux (I have Redhat) and am a novice at C programming - in other words I don't know what I'm doing. Please help!!

I have been sent a .tar.gz file and have been told to do this:

"decompress and compile (by using make) this code"

Apparently, after decompressing I should get a directory tree.

Any help is greatly appreciated and I must apologise for the simplicity of my question.

mr toadde

From a terminal
$ tar xzvf filename.tar.gz
will uncompress and unpack the file and then you will get the directory tree.
Then look for a README file.

look at
$ man tar
for the xzvf options

Try this:

Copy the file to a convenient directory. Your home dir is fine.

Then do this:

tar -xvzf yourfile.tar.gz

cd to the new directory.

Usually there is a file in there called 'configure' Run it like so:

./configure

Once that is through, type ' make ' and the program should compile.

Sometimes there is no configure file and you just need to type ' make '.

After you make the program, you usually have to install is as the user root, like so:

su root
(enter root password)
make install

There should always be an INSTALL or README file in the top of the new directory, Read it with the less command, like so : less README

Everything in Linux is documented. Be sure to read the instructions, it is the only way to become proficient. Make this site your best friend: www.tldp.org

"There is only one secret to Linux: it permits no secrets"

Thanks for your help, fellas. Everything seemed to be going alright until I received this message:

make: *** No rule to make target

Any help is again much appreciated....

Mr Toadde

run the command './configure' then run make, then 'make install'