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Build From Source vs. Packages?

Posted by Cliff on 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?"

7 of 863 comments (clear)

  1. This is BSD vs Linux argument by gtrubetskoy · · 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!)

  2. Re:One word for you... by micromoog · · Score: 5, Funny

    . . . which of course is dying.

  3. Well, the *best* way is obviously... by gosand · · 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.

  4. dear slashdot... by DrWhizBang · · Score: 5, Funny

    which is better, vi or emacs? ;-)

    --
    Schrodinger's cat is either dead or really pissed off...
  5. Re:One word for you... by SoTuA · · 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!)

  6. Re:One word for you... by TimmyDee · · 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
  7. Re:Personally by micromoog · · 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 . . .