Please answer this simple question

[Tom Varghese]

Hi there,
I am basically a debian user, so I am putting this general question in the debian thread. Usually I download the sources if apt-get fails. Then compile it using 'make' command. Unfortunately, the compilation was success for only less than five times in 20 or more attempts. What may be the reason? Is there any way to debug this problem. I am ready to solve the problem however difficult it is because I consider myself as a linux geek.

[b2bwild]

Compiling source is definitely a bad option for apt-get, unless the package is not available for the system or you want to change few options....

First look what error you are getting on apt-get because, that can be solved quickly than make problems.

There are many possibilities for failure of compilation...
You should look for error its returning..

[reed9]

Different programs have different requirements to build. The common pattern to build many programs is

./configure
make
make install

but this is by no means universal. Also, you need to have the appropriate development libraries installed for the software, build time dependencies, and run time dependencies.

Usually there is a README included in the tar ball with instructions on how to build, or consult the project website.

Debian has some pretty deep repositories, what are you trying to build that isn't already packaged?

[Tom Varghese]

I try to compile only when the program is not in the repo. But I need to know about the building details

[reed9]

Details depend on the particular package.

How To Compile Linux Software With Debian Linux
A Beginner's Guide to Compiling Source Code

[daark.child]

There are lot of reasons why package compilation fails. One of the most common reasons is missing libraries. The next time you try to build something and it fails, post here to get more input into resolving the problem.

[Tom Varghese]

Thank you all and I realized that I need to go miles to build in Linux. Thanks once again.

[b2bwild]

Thank you all and I realized that I need to go miles to build in Linux. Thanks once again.

It's not that hard...
different projects use different build systems like make or cmake..

You just need to read the README file...
Install the dependencies listed in README
Go through the steps given..
Thats all..