RPM or source

[jrbishop79]

which is better to use when installing applications? Compiling from the source code, or using an RPM? Will the compiled code make the application run faster? I know that dependencies aside, RPMs are easier to work with, but would it be better to always compile from the source?

thanks for your help...

[mdwatts]

You can add compiler flags/options for compiling from source.

i.e. /etc/profile


CHOST='athlon-linux-gnu'
CFLAGS='-march=athlon-mp -mcpu=athlon-mp -O3 -pipe'
CXXFLAGS='-march=athlon-mp -mcpu=athlon-mp -O3 -pipe'

export CHOST CFLAGS CXXFLAGS


and also for rebuilding source rpm's in /etc/rpmrc.


buildarchtranslate: athlon: athlon
buildarchtranslate: athlon-mp: athlon
buildarchtranslate: k6: athlon
buildarchtranslate: i686: athlon
buildarchtranslate: i586: athlon
buildarchtranslate: i486: athlon
buildarchtranslate: i386: athlon

optflags: athlon-mp -O2 -march=athlon-mp -mcpu=athlon-mp -malign-functions=4
-fschedule-insns2 -mwide-multiply -Wall -W -Wno-unused


I prefer using src.rpm's sometimes or using source with Checkinstall (search freshmeat.net and the 'How I did it' forum).

./configure
make
checkinstall

Checkinstall builds rpm packages.

<edit>

Moving to /dev/random since opinion threads are better posted there as they sometimes take the focus away for the other questions waiting for replies.

[WayStar]

For a long time I preferred compiling from source because it seemed "more pure," but now I use RPMs on my Mandrake machine, only because they are easier for me to uninstall.

I like having the choice, though.

-Waylena

[pickarooney]

I've never once, in over a hundred attempts, managed to compile from source. I'd prefer to, just in case I got some extra performance out of the programs and to be able to say I did it, but it just ain't happening. I reckon there's an opening in the market for a well-written, understandable book about compiling linux thingumajigs from source. I'd definitely buy it. :)

[phiber]

First; make sure that there are no dependency-related problems lurking in the shadows.

Then you usually just have to do ''./configure && make && make install" and grab a can of caffeinated soda.

I'm running Fedora Core 1, and tend to install RPMs if they're available. If an installed RPM seems to be broken in some way I compile the software.

[soda_popstar]

I find that using the distribution's default package management system works best. When I use Fedora Core, I stick with RPMs. On Gentoo, I compile from source. It just makes things cleaner, in my opinion.

[Hayl]

Originally posted by soda_popstar
I find that using the distribution's default package management system works best.

i totally agree