Compiling Source Code - Just a simple question

[Tim_Wright]

Hi, I've just started on my Linux adventure but I've a small question regarding software binaries.

I've seen various downloads for Linux software...lets say an application Suse for example. Below this there would be the binaries for the application. If I was to compile these binaries in say...Mandrivia - would the application still work?

Thanks in advance,

[d38dm8nw81k1ng]

hmm.. you seem to be getting your terminology mixed up. you don't compile binaries, you run them. do these "binaries" you refer to have the .rpm extension? if so then i think mandriva will be able to run them, however it is unknown whether they will work properly as it will list the install directories that SuSE uses, which may be different to the install directories that mandriva uses. also, it may throw up problems linking to libraries. if the suse9.2.rpm is compiled against say glibc-2.0 and mandriva uses glibc.-2.4 then there are going to be problems. if you get source code (usually in .tar.gz or .tar.bz2) then this will compile and install on any distro with no problems.
hope that helps.

[Tim_Wright]

hmm.. you seem to be getting your terminology mixed up. you don't compile binaries, you run them. do these "binaries" you refer to have the .rpm extension? if so then i think mandriva will be able to run them, however it is unknown whether they will work properly as it will list the install directories that SuSE uses, which may be different to the install directories that mandriva uses. also, it may throw up problems linking to libraries. if the suse9.2.rpm is compiled against say glibc-2.0 and mandriva uses glibc.-2.4 then there are going to be problems. if you get source code (usually in .tar.gz or .tar.bz2) then this will compile and install on any distro with no problems.
hope that helps.

d38dm8nw81k1ng, thank you for taking the time to reply. I wasn't referring to a specific program but rather it was just for future reference. So, let me just verify what you said:

1. You can run the binaries for a different distro but it is likely it wont work
2. If you compile the source code it will definitely work on your distribution of linux
3. Source code is distributed as .tar.gz or .tar.bz2

I have got a hardware question tho relating to my Wireless Adaptor (Belkin 802.11g Wireless G USB Network Adapter). It works fine under Windows *shudder* but every distro I've tried won't pick it up! How can I get a Linux driver for this? Any ideas?

Thanks,

[bryansmith]

There is a 50/50 shot that the binary will work on a distro that it wasn't built for. Do your best to stay away from those not built for your distro.

As for your wireless adapter, you would be better to start a thread in the wireless section. Hint, include a make and model number along with what you have tried so far.

Hope that helps!

[Tim_Wright]

I will indeed! Thanks for your advice.

Much appreciated,