Installing and Uninstalling progrmas

[littlebigone]

Okay, need help from linux experts rite now.

The big issue is installing and uninstalling programs.

1. What's the difference between binary and source for linux?
2. How do you choose where to install (and also set other options) if you're using RPM's?
3. How to uninstall if you don't use RPM's? Do all installation files come with uninstall script? If so how do I identify what to do.

Thanks.

[jiinjoo]

1. What's the difference between binary and source for linux?
2. How do you choose where to install (and also set other options) if you're using RPM's?
3. How to uninstall if you don't use RPM's? Do all installation files come with uninstall script? If so how do I identify what to do.
1. Binary is a basically executable commands by the machine. With your binary/program, you can "run" it straight and your PC will understand what to do. A source is usually written in a language not directly runnable, but can be compiled and made into a binary using a compiler. The uncompilable language however is usually some editable high level language that human beings can read easily.

2. Just read the README when you're installing - it should be very straight forward. Let it choose the default location. If you want to choose, there's usually a config script (basically you type make configuration or something like that - read the README coz it differs sometimes).

3. usually the makefiles have uninstall scripts. Again, they ought to be in the README files. Normally it's just make uninstall or something like that. Not too sure though coz I haven't come accross anything I use on Linux that I need to uninstall :D

[masterof_none]

Okay, need help from linux experts rite now.

The big issue is installing and uninstalling programs.

1. What's the difference between binary and source for linux?
2. How do you choose where to install (and also set other options) if you're using RPM's?
3. How to uninstall if you don't use RPM's? Do all installation files come with uninstall script? If so how do I identify what to do.

Thanks.

In addition to Jiin Joo's note,
a binary file can be run right away from terminal by
typing ./prog_object_file

but, the source, we have to compile first. This involves running
make,and make install

to uninstall, usually there's a script to uninstall all the dependence.
(it's hard in linux, because linux files usually are all over the place. It's not like Microsoft windows where we have Program Files, and can easily be removed, or in Mac OS X where you just drag the apps icon to the trash can). But, I think we just need to remove all the files manually. anyone has the better solution?

[masdie]

Talking about programmes, anyone can enlighten me on antiviruses, firewalls and antispywares that work on linux? (especially free ones)

[vseehua]

for antivirus, we have antivir for linux workstations which is available at ww.free-av.com or the open source project clam-av at www.clamav.net...both will need us to install dazuko kernel module, which is the part which always baffled me..sigh..but if you are using suse or mandrake then i suppose it's installed as part of the system, so no worries :)...as for how to install them, the instrustions are in the respective website.but generally you have to use a sh [filename] to install antivir or compile clamav itself :)..

if i'm not mistaken, there's a guide on how to install clam-av in Chip Malaysia a few months ago0..so feel free to get it from me if you want to have a look at it :)