the linux compiling process:

[intanettohack]

hello everyone!
so i am a pretty recent transfer to linux from windows, but still a programmer at heart. i am used to the windows procedure of compiling my source code by just hitting 'compile' in my ide, but it seems that there is much more to it in linux. i guess i do not quite understand the whole process. does anyone know a good tutorial that explains the whole make file/terminal jargon process?

thanks!

[seymore15074]

Just do some searches online...you'll find what you need. Also, try the following commands in the shell: "man make" and "man gcc".

[Duthomhas]

Most modern IDEs know how to compile programs you yourself write under Linux (or at least create an appropriate makefile for you).

The process can get hairy, but there are a few standard tools and standard ways to do it. Here are a couple articles I googled for you:

Everyday Linux Howtos: Compiling Software
http://liquidweather.net/howto/index.php?id=82

How-To: Compile Programs From Source in Linux
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/howto_compile_programs_from_source_linux

Compiling and installing software from source in Linux
http://www.tuxfiles.org/linuxhelp/softinstall.html

True, true, that stuff is for other peoples' software, but it is a good read to begin understanding the way things are.



If you want to do it yourself, or your IDE/editor doesn't do it for you, you should learn to use the autoconf and automake tools.

Learning Autoconf and Automake (very comprehensive)
http://www.amath.washington.edu/~lf/tutorials/autoconf/

Using Automake and Autoconf with C++ (very good beginner tutorial, with links)
http://www.openismus.com/documents/linux/automake/automake.shtml



And, alas, more required reading.

GNU Make Manual
http://www.gnu.org/software/make/manual/

GNU Autoconf Manual
http://www.gnu.org/software/autoconf/manual/index.html

GNU Automake Manual
http://www.gnu.org/software/automake/manual/index.html

Hope this helps.

[edit]
Oh, yeah, if you aren't using the bash shell or some modern derivative as your command terminal, please fix it so that you are. Life will be much better for you that way. Here's a howto to Getting started with Bash
http://www.hypexr.org/bash_tutorial.php

Heh... :-)

[intanettohack]

okay, i think i am beginning to get it... if i have any more questions i will definitely ask.
thanks!