I am a linux newb and am having problems with configuring, building and installing GCC 4.3.0. I downloaded the zip file from one of the mirror sites and followed instructions for installation, however, the configuration process goes wrong:

I get this in my terminal:

[a@localhost GCC]$ gcc-4.3.0/configure
checking build system type... i686-pc-linux-gnuoldld
checking host system type... i686-pc-linux-gnuoldld
checking target system type... i686-pc-linux-gnuoldld
checking for a BSD-compatible install... /usr/bin/install -c
checking whether ln works... yes
checking whether ln -s works... yes
checking for gcc... no
checking for cc... no
checking for cc... no
checking for cl... no
configure: error: no acceptable C compiler found in $PATH
See `config.log' for more details.
[john@localhost GCC]$

I realise that I need a c compiler to install this but I thought I would be installing one with GCC! can anyone give me an idea of what I should do to get this working please!?

Thanks, Kyle

Install gcc via your distribution's package management system.

What you tried to do is building GCC from sources without having any compiler. First install GCC or any reasonable C-compiler to be able comiling any source code, and then try building anything from source.

In your case you shouldn't have to build GCC from source if you get to install it as a binary package. (a binary application is supposed to be compiled already, while source code needs to get compiled before you can use them).

Linux Archive

i dont stil have the installation disk for linux with the software on it - it got lost!! What C compiler should i try to install, or can i get the software from the installation disk anywhere else? Thanks for your help though guys

Which distribution are you using? You should be able to install gcc via the Internet, using the package manager.

Im using Mandriva 2008, but im nearly afraid to do anything with it because i don't fully understand linux yet and im afraid that my laptop could be vulnerable with linux and windows on it! There should be a c compiler in the package manager then? And i take it i dont need the disk for that?

You should be able to install gcc via the package manager, yes. Also, if you've got Internet access, you won't need the CDs. You use urpmi to manage packages in Mandriva. There's some info about it here, but you may wish to do your own googling.

That's great, thanks v much Nylex