General Linux/yum-related question

[Mikkel L. Ellertson]

Bob Fletcher wrote:
> I am using FC 5 and still have much to learn about Linux. One issue that
> confuses me relates to the "proper" locations of application files. As a
> specific example, I am using the latest Eclipse package, Ver 3.1.2. 
> 
> However, I am also experimenting with Eclipse on a Windows machine, and
> its version is 3.2. So for comparison purposes, I downloaded Eclipse Ver
> 3.2 to my home directory on my Linux machine. Thus, I now have two
> versions of Eclipse on my Linux machine. (Both seem to work correctly
> with the corresponding CDT plugins.) Nevertheless, this raises lots of
> questions in my mind:
> 
> Is this a sane thing to do?
> Should I try to relocate the files into more appropriate directories?
> Will this mess up yum?
> 
> Please note that I am not too concerned with this specific example. The
> problem arises every time I build new applications from the original
> source files. I am not sure what to do with the created files. Are there
> standard procedures to follow? How will this affect yum-related
> installations?
> 
> Thanks,
> Bob
> 
When building packages from source, on a system with package
management, it is better to ether install in the user's home
directory if only one user will be using it, or in the usr/local
tree. If you are going to replace an existing package, you are
better off getting the source RPM for the installed package,
modifying the SPEC file to reflect the updated source, and building
it. Then use rpm to update to your own package.

On my systems, I normally have ~/bin directory for programs/scripts
that only I will be using.

Mikkel
-- 

  Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for thou art crunchy and taste good with Ketchup!