I am trying to install a gcc compiler.

I set my path in my home directory:

/home/pedro/.bash_profile

like so

PATH=$PATH:/usr/lib/gcc
export PATH,

Is this correct and is this the right file to edit?

Thanks

That is the correct way to set the $PATH environment variable.

However, to install the gcc compiler, simply use:
The above will install gcc and the required libraries to compile most software, along with other utilities such as make, and place the executeables in a suitable place so you don't need to edit your $PATH.

I hope this helps
--Ian

Thanks that worked. I am not familiar ith the command you gave: sudo aptitude install build-essential.

In what folder is this comman d pulling the programs from?


Thanks

Most linux distros have a package manager, that will download and install programs and their dependencies for you. On Debian based distros, such as Ubuntu, this is called apt.

Aptitude is a frontend to apt (see http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/aptitude.php for more about aptitude and apt-get). Other frontends include apt-get, and Synaptic (GUI).

You define a list of repositories, in /etc/apt/sources.list. The package manager will fetch a list of all the packages available in each repository, and store it. When you request a package to be installed, it finds a suitable repository and downloads and installs the program. It also fetches and installs any other packages that your requested packages requires.

I hope this helps
--Ian

You may find System-> Administration-> Synaptic Package Manager as an simpler GUI path for installing. Command line works but isn't required for installs.