C++ can't make executables?

[retoon]

Hello alll, I am having a few difficulties installing abiword from source. I downloaded the tar.gz file from http://www.abisource.com/download/
I followed the instructions the best that I could. I cd into the directory of the file. I also deviate slightly from the directions.
Once in the directory with the tar.gz file, I type in

gunzip abiword-1.0.3.tar.gz
That works fine
then I type
tar -xvf abiword-1.0.3.tar
That works fine, no errors.
Then I cd into /abiword-1.0.3/abi
I take root priveledges (su root, then password)
that works fine, then I type in

make UNIX_CAN_BUILD_STATIC=0 install
this is the error it gives me ----------------------------------------------------
checking for C++ compiler default output... configure: error: C++ compiler cannot create executables
(and)
[install] Error 2
______________________________

(I tried to paste the entire error, but for some reason, none of the five terminals that come with Mandrake 8.2 seem to have the ability to copy and paste from them. This was where I feel the problem was. Nothing else stuck out. I am really stumped on this one. This is the first piece of software I have compiled on Mandrake atleast, and it doesn't want to work for me. Could there be something wrong with my compiler? Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[red_over_blue]

First, a few things I hope help you in your mandrake travels:

1. Mandrake is an rpm based distro, which means that almost all of its software should be installed using rpms. rpms can be found at www.rpmfind.net among other places.

2. For mandrake, download the mdk.i586.rpm files. For example, the abiword rpm is here:

ftp://ftp.rpmfind.net/linux/Mandrake/9.0/contrib/RPMS/abiword-1.0.2-1mdk.i586.rpm

3. Download this file to a directory. There are directories called /usr/src/RPM/i586... bla bla bla (or something like that), but I liked just creating a directory called /usr/src/RPMS and downloading all my rpms to that directory.

4. To install an rpm, just type (as root):


rpm -ivh /full/path/to/rpm/rpmname.rpm


where rpmname is the full-name of the rpm, in this case abiword-1.0.2-1mdk.i586.rpm

5. If it complains about dependencies, ie. "failed, abiword needs libblabla" or something like that, you will have to go to rpmfind.net and see what rpm provides "libblabla" or whatever the rpm was complaining about not having when you tried to install it, and install that rpm first.

6. There is plenty of info about rpms. Try searching on www.google.com/linux

7. Now, for the tar.gz....... First of all, to extract the files, all you have to type is:


tar -zxvf filename.tar.gz


Type "man tar" to find out what the -zxvf does.

8. Next, "cd" into the diretory that was created, and there could be an INSTALL file (usually all capitals) or a README.

9. Read the INSTALL... it will tell you exactly how to compile the software if you want to compile from source. Most commonly, you will type "make" followed by "make install". "make install" must be done as root.

Hope that gets you going!

[m-sambo]

Installing from source normally takes the form of:

./configure
make
make install

I'm not familiar with Abiword's install process. Could you post some of the instructions you are following.

m-sambo

[red_over_blue]

Also, to cut and paste text in linux, simply highlight the text with the mouse.... it has now been cut (no buttons to press).

Next, press BOTH mouse buttons at the same time, or you can also press the scroll-wheel down also.

Next, press BOTH mouse buttons at the same time, or you can also press the scroll-wheel down also.

Next, press BOTH mouse buttons at the same time, or you can also press the scroll-wheel down also.

Next, press BOTH mouse buttons at the same time, or you can also press the scroll-wheel down also.


See???? It works almost everywhere.... not only in terminals.

[red_over_blue]

Did any of this info help??? It's nice to have feedback so we know that our help was right/wrong/fun/boring/rude/energetic/.... you get the idea.

[retoon]

Your advice was helpful red_over_blue, and once I started installing the rpm, I found I was missing a few dependencies. Then I found that each of those dependencies were missing dependencies, and then I cam to a list of about ten dependencies I had to go ahead and download, so I figured i would simply stop. I have switched distros from Mandrake 8.2, to Red hat 8, which comes with Open Office and Abi word.

[red_over_blue]

If you install MDK 9.0 (if you liked mandrake) you could use urpmi. Here is a link (read the full thread as other people had good links too).


http://www.linuxnewbie.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=80207

You will find that you have the same problems with dependencies using RH8.0 as you did with mandrake (not using urpmi)

Some distros that were designed from the start to cope with dependency "hell" as it is commonly called are Debian and Gentoo. Worth taking a look at after you get more comfortable with Linux in general.