Very Computer

by **Francis J. Brueni** » Mon, 10 Oct 1994 03:16:05

Hi,

I think this is probably a general unix sys admin question, but
thought other "new" sysadmins might benefit from the answer.

Basically, I'm in the process of grabbing some apps off the net,
(OK, so they're mostly games.. ;-) and am wondering where the
standard or "correct" place is to install them.

I know to put the executables and man pages in the /usr/local
tree. HOWEVER, my question is where do I keep the sources. For example,
installing crossfire (an X role playing game) installs correctly in
my home directory, but I'd like to move it somewhere general.

Should I make a /usr/local/packages? What do others do? In addition,
when I upgrade existing packages do I replace the old ones (ie. Xpm) or
move the new release to /usr/local and ensure my $PATH finds the new one
first?

I'll summarize the info I get back.

thanks!
--
==============================================================================

Tektronix T&M Central Software
PO Box 500 M/S:47-704 Voice: (503) 627-1023
Beaverton OR. 97076-4600 Fax: (503) 627-5587
==============================================================================

by C » Sat, 15 Oct 1994 08:25:06

> Hi,

> I think this is probably a general unix sys admin question, but
> thought other "new" sysadmins might benefit from the answer.

> Basically, I'm in the process of grabbing some apps off the net,
> (OK, so they're mostly games.. ;-) and am wondering where the
> standard or "correct" place is to install them.

> I know to put the executables and man pages in the /usr/local
> tree. HOWEVER, my question is where do I keep the sources. For example,
> installing crossfire (an X role playing game) installs correctly in
> my home directory, but I'd like to move it somewhere general.

> Should I make a /usr/local/packages? What do others do? In addition,
> when I upgrade existing packages do I replace the old ones (ie. Xpm) or
> move the new release to /usr/local and ensure my $PATH finds the new one
> first?

> I'll summarize the info I get back.

> thanks!
> --
> ==============================================================================

> Tektronix T&M Central Software
> PO Box 500 M/S:47-704 Voice: (503) 627-1023
> Beaverton OR. 97076-4600 Fax: (503) 627-5587
> ==============================================================================

For most UNIX boxes, the accepted standard is to use the /usr/local for
"addin" packages that dont have anything to do with the day to day
operation of the workstation. For instance, a new mail program, or news
reader to ftp daemon would not usually go into /usr/local/bin.
Most of the time when you replace an element of the system with an
update, rename the old element to filename.old and move the new element
where the old element is. You should keep a list of any "new" elements
of the system that have been recently installed so if you have any
mysterious things start to happen, you can just rename the *.old file and
restore the system. After a certain period of time, when you are sure
the new element is stable you can remove the *.old elements (I prefer to
put them onto tape just incase!).
As far as Linux goes, the excepted path for source files is /usr/src. Im
sure this is probably different on many different unix systems, but the
usr/local thing is pretty standard...
Chris

Very Computer

Where to install updates/additions?

Where to install updates/additions?

Where to install updates/additions?