LinuxMint file system

[dazw2000]

Firstly I would like to say a big hello to everyone, and just say I really like LinuxMint and the new version Julia (quality).
My question it may sound silly but converting after many years of Microsoft Windows to Linux has me confused.
1 Installation of packages other than from the software center, and the file extensions. Like Tar.bz2, rpm,run,.deb I am ok with this one. Once extracted what is the file placement structure within the Linux /Hierarchy.
2, As never being really interested in programming what application would i use to compile or makefile and how does it work.

Having about a million questions to ask and feeling like i cannot help anyone else out until i learn a great deal more.

Thank you most kindly in advance for any replies

Darren

[tdockery97]

Hi Darren and welcome. As far as tar.bz2 you'll find some info here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=342511. You can install .deb files using gdebi installer or dpkg as these are native Debian packages and usually come complete with required dependencies. RPM files you would have to convert to .deb if possible; they are native to many of the non-debian based distros. I don't know about run, haven't come across anything like that.

[Elisa]

1 Installation of packages other than from the software center, and the file extensions. Like Tar.bz2, rpm,run,.deb I am ok with this one. Once extracted what is the file placement structure within the Linux /Hierarchy.
2, As never being really interested in programming what application would i use to compile or makefile and how does it work.

Hello new Mint bro
=> 2 your questions (and as far as I know ): most serious packages has instructions how to compile...
As for files, *.deb are the best or easiest to run - just click on them AFAIK rpm is possible to run also but u need any rpm~converter or something. rpm is mostly for Redhat and Fedora.
Other bz2, 7z are archives, again - see the instructions inside.
But I am sure you can find most usable packages in the repositary (Synaptic package manager)

[dazw2000]

Thank you for your replies, most helpful.
Not sure how to reply directly as yet.
Oh the run file extension i came across i think was either on the AMD ATI site or the Oracle Java site.Unsure of which as i surf to much.

[unexistance]

Hi,

1 Installation of packages other than from the software center, and the file extensions. Like Tar.bz2, rpm,run,.deb I am ok with this one. Once extracted what is the file placement structure within the Linux /Hierarchy.

for tar.bz2, tar.gz, .run it's very hard to say because it depends on the developer.
A simple guideline:
/etc = configuration
/bin = program

It definitely not like Windows

2, As never being really interested in programming what application would i use to compile or makefile and how does it work.

to compile, it would be gcc (most probably)
So, how it works:

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./configure

This just checks OS settings, whether you have the correct pre-requisite or not

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make

Actual compilation, text files -> binary

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make install

install the binary at predetermined location

[colyn]

Welcome...

Never download a .tar.gz/bz2 file from an untrusted site. Only download them from the developers site. The only time you would need to get one of these is if the program is not in the repo. Always check the repo for the program before downloading from another site.

.tar file have to be compiled before install which can be time consuming and confusing.

.rpm's can be installed after converting them to a .deb file with alien. Google alien to learn how it works..

.deb is native to Mint and is easy to install simply by clicking it.

The repo has somewhere around 30,000 packages so it should have everything you would need. Open synaptic and type what you are looking for (such as gimp) in the search box then check it for install then apply. It will also install any dependencies needed..

[jesica]

I like Python for compiling and writing in it, it is very fast