What causes errors when compiling from source

**Rakjavik** · 07-23-2008 06:16 PM

Ok so 75% of the programs I install under my version of slackware when attempting to install from source never work. It seems the ./configure always goes smoothly but during the make or make install I get errors that are greek to me. Is this a typical thing from lack of dependencies installed? Because I thought it would tell you that during the ./configure. It's damn frustrating

**Ynot** · 07-23-2008 06:22 PM

Yes, most likely unmet dependency's

#1 reason why Debian developed apt
not that that helps you...

don't mean to sound condescending, but if the compile errors are "greek" to you, maybe you should run a distro that offers binary repositories
(Debian + derivatives / Red Hat + derivatives, etc.)

any particular reason you're compiling stuff manually?

**Rakjavik** · 07-23-2008 06:30 PM

A lot of the software I am downloading is only available with RPM or DEB binaries. Not many have the slackware binaries. RPMs are ok because i can convert them with rpm2tgz, but DEB as far as I know, I am out of luck. As far as using a different distro, not an option. I do use ubuntu for my desktop, is there a similar package manager for slackware?

**Ynot** · 07-23-2008 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Rakjavik

A lot of the software I am downloading is only available with RPM or DEB binaries.

well, unfortunately, providing rpm & deb covers 95% of Linux users
you fall into the other 5%

Originally Posted by Rakjavik

As far as using a different distro, not an option

Can I ask why?

Slackware does very little hand-holding
and if you're having issues, changing distro will ease you in the long run

Originally Posted by Rakjavik

I do use ubuntu for my desktop, is there a similar package manager for slackware?

http://www.slackbook.org/html/package-management.html

**Rakjavik** · 07-23-2008 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by Ynot

well, unfortunately, providing rpm & deb covers 95% of Linux users
you fall into the other 5%

Can I ask why?

Ever heard of BackTrack 3?

**Ynot** · 07-23-2008 06:56 PM

no,
but I've just googled it
and it's a Linux LiveCD, slackware based

so??

**Rakjavik** · 07-23-2008 07:15 PM

It is used for network security testing. I've got 5 comps, 3 of them using wireless. This distro is packed with software to make sure my computers stay secured from prying eyes. (I'm in an apartment complex with 20+ wireless networks around) So I wanted all the software that came with the distro (because god knows it would be a nightmare to install them on a seperate distro) hence the reason I am using Slackware

**dsr** · 07-24-2008 01:05 AM

Both swaret and slapt-get handle dependencies. Read the wiki. Note that most Slackware users disapprove of them (and the wiki explains why).

Edit: Are you using Slackware or the BackTrack LiveCD? Note that SLAX-based LiveCDs are not the same OS as Slackware. You would need to consult separate documentation for swaret or slapt-get on SLAX.