How to Use make and make install

In Linux, the make command is a build automation tool that automatically builds executable programs and libraries from source code. The make install command is used to copy the compiled binaries and files to the appropriate directories in your system. This tutorial will guide you through the process of using make and make install to compile and install software from source.

1. Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of the command line and Linux operating system.
• A compatible development environment with essential tools (like gcc, make, and libraries) installed.
• Source code of the application you want to compile.

2. Downloading the Source Code

Start by downloading the source code of the program you wish to compile. This is usually distributed as a compressed archive (e.g., .tar.gz or .zip). You can use commands like wget or curl to download the package:

wget https://example.com/software.tar.gz

Once downloaded, extract the archive:

tar -xzf software.tar.gz
cd software-

3. Configuring the Build

Before compiling, some programs require configuration to prepare the build environment. Usually, you will need to run:

./configure

This script checks for necessary dependencies and sets up the Makefile accordingly. Note that not all software will have this script, but it is common in many applications.

4. Compiling the Software

To compile the software, run:

make

The make command reads the Makefile created during the configuration step and compiles the source code into executable binaries.

5. Installing the Compiled Software

Once the compilation is complete, you can install the software on your system by running:

sudo make install

This command copies the necessary files to the appropriate system directories, making the software available for use.

6. Cleaning Up After Installation

After installation, you can clean up the build files and unnecessary files by running:

make clean

This command removes temporary files created during the build process.

7. Conclusion

By following this tutorial, you have learned how to use make and make install to compile and install software from source in Linux. This practice is essential for installing applications that are not available in standard package repositories. Continue to explore additional options in make to enhance your software compilation and installation skills!

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Dorian Kane

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