Build From Source vs. Packages?

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Build From Source vs. Packages?

Posted by Cliff on Tuesday March 30, 2004 @05:48AM from the what-do-you-do dept.

mod_critical asks: "I am a student at the University of Minnesota and I work with a professor performing research and managing more than ten Linux based servers. When it comes to installing services on these machines I am a die-hard build-from-source fanatic, while the professor I work with prefers to install and maintain everything from packages. I want to know what Slashdot readers tend to think is the best way to do things. How you feel about the ease and simplicity of installing and maintaining packaged programs versus the optimization and control that can be achieved by building from source? What are your experiences?"

18 of 863 comments (clear)

Packages are best by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-30 05:51 · Score: 1, Funny

Packages are the best to work with. There is too much room for error with build from source. Besides that's what you boss likes, so you better love it. Learn young man, learn. If the boss likes it, you love it. Packages!
This is BSD vs Linux argument by gtrubetskoy · 2004-03-30 05:55 · Score: 3, Funny

Any BSD user will swear by "build-from-source" and talk about how the ports are so great (and indeed they are).
And any RedHat user won't really understand what the BSD user is talking about and will just keep on using binary rpms found from google or rpmfind. In a desparate moment one will use any rpm that seems to do the trick - nevermind security, PGP sigs, all that stuff...
Seriously speaking, building from source is the UNIX way in my opinion. There is just something very heart warming and satisfying about seeing all the compiler messages scroll every time you install a package. (And try installing the native Java from BSD ports - several hours of pure joy!)
Re:One word for you... by micromoog · 2004-03-30 05:55 · Score: 5, Funny

. . . which of course is dying.
Use the Source Luke by mike+collins · 2004-03-30 05:56 · Score: 2, Funny

I always do.
Well, the *best* way is obviously... by gosand · 2004-03-30 06:11 · Score: 5, Funny

Obviously, the absolute best way to maintain your systems is to install Windows Update. But since Linux is stuck in the dark ages, you'll have to manage your systems like the cavemen did.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go reboot 100 systems.

--

My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.
dear slashdot... by DrWhizBang · 2004-03-30 06:12 · Score: 5, Funny

which is better, vi or emacs? ;-)

--
Schrodinger's cat is either dead or really pissed off...
Re:One word for you... by part15guy · 2004-03-30 06:13 · Score: 2, Funny

which of course is dead.
No, it's still dying. I am still running FreeBSD at home because I have not found the time yet to switch back to Linux.
Re:One word for you... by SoTuA · 2004-03-30 06:14 · Score: 5, Funny

Gentoo Linux: Because life is too long to waste on windows reboots, but long enough to 'emerge openoffice'. (laugh, it's a joke!)
But less than 12? by dmccarty · 2004-03-30 06:29 · Score: 2, Funny

I work with a professor performing research and managing more than ten Linux based servers.
Is that, like, 11 Linux-based servers?

--
Have fun: Join D.N.A. (National Dyslexics Association)
Re:One word for you... by TimmyDee · 2004-03-30 06:32 · Score: 5, Funny

That's only because one can associate FreeBSD with Apple, who has been dying for longer than I have been alive.

--
Per Square Mile, a blog about density
I think the best method... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-30 06:58 · Score: 1, Funny

is to use the Click-N-Run warehouse from Lindows.com. They have all the coolest apps in there.
Devine Guidance by buffoverflow · 2004-03-30 07:01 · Score: 2, Funny

God intended man to compile from source. It's the 11th commandment.
Re:OS is from a package by Captain+Pedantic · 2004-03-30 07:02 · Score: 2, Funny

I realize your trolling

Could you clarify your meaning there, please? Do you mean that you make a profit on his trolling, or do you bring it to life? Either way, I think that's pretty cool.

--

None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Re:Use sources by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-30 07:14 · Score: 2, Funny

People with jobs managing servers use binary packages. Real geeks work at Wendy's and live in their mom's basement.
Re:Personally by micromoog · 2004-03-30 07:26 · Score: 4, Funny

porsche has a tiny market share - but nobody suggests they should make a k-car version to get a bigger slice of the pie!
Yeah, Gentoo adding an installer would be like Porsche making an SUV . . . oh wait, right . . .
Re:Use sources by bigjnsa500 · 2004-03-30 07:42 · Score: 2, Funny

People with jobs managing servers use binary packages.
Not necessarily true when your needs are custom.
Real geeks work at Wendy's and live in their mom's basement.
Oh, that's where I remember you from. You didn't give me my Biggie fries.

--
This is a test. This is a test of the emergency sig system. This has been only a test.
Re:Not always the case by macdaddy · 2004-03-30 08:11 · Score: 2, Funny

Debian made it into the 21st century? No way!
Re:Personally by Reorax · 2004-03-30 10:52 · Score: 2, Funny

Yup....and with Gentoo, once the install is done...it is SOOOO easy to keep up to date or add new programs. emerge this, emerge that...emerge sync.
Not in that order, of course.

--
This sig is only here so people stop skipping the last lines of my posts.