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Zolomon
Asked: 2010-11-20 03:35:37 +0800 CST

Where should I place source code that I wish to compile?

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Here's the scenario; I've downloaded a tarball. I've extracted all the source contained inside to my home folder "/home/zolomon/SourceCode". But where should I place the SourceCode directory with its content when I wish to compile it? Does it matter? Will it, in most cases, install and place files in the correct place automatically when I install it?

In this case I'm talking about RubyGems.

10.04 installation

2 Answers

  1. Files under the directory /usr/local/ are not under the control of the Debian package management system. Therefore, it is good practice to place the source code for your program in /usr/local/src/. For example, you might extract the files for a package named "foo.tar" into the directory /usr/local/src/foo. After you compile them, place the binaries in /usr/local/bin/, the libraries in /usr/local/lib/, and the configuration files in /usr/local/etc/.

    If your programs and/or files really must be placed in some other directory, you could still store them in /usr/local/, and build the appropriate symbolic links from the required location to its location in /usr/local/, e.g., you could make the link

     ln -s /usr/local/bin/foo /usr/bin/foo

    In any case, if you obtain a package whose copyright allows redistribution, you should consider making a Debian package of it, and uploading it for the Debian system. Guidelines for becoming a package developer are included in the Debian Policy manual.

    Taken from: http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/ch-compat.en.html

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  2. Best Answer

    Yes you can place the source code anywhere.During the installation it places all the files in correct location.In your case you have your source code in /home/zolomon/SourceCode so you can compile it from there..Thats not a problem..

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