How do you install a file with .tar.gz in Ubuntu?

Question

I'm new to Ubuntu so I am going to need a lot of detail; step-by-step instructions. I know how to extract the file, but I don't know what to do next. I've tried looking it up, but it's too confusing. I can open up the Terminal, but I need to know *exactly* what to type in the Terminal. I was trying to install Warzone 2100 from http://wz2100.net/ . So maybe you could look there,.. and figure something out. Please help. Thanks.

Answer 1

Look for a README file and follow the directions, or better yet, find a .deb file and install it.

Answer 2

First you need to change into directory where you've downloaded the file. You do it with 'cd' command (cd /path/path/...), for example like this: cd /home/userName/Downloads/ (is probably where you have the file).



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Tips:

> If you want to see the content in the folder, use ls command: ls /path/...

> You don't have to write the whole names, for example you're writing "Down-" -> use , it will fill the rest of the word. (Twice will show you all the options, if there are more files starting like this.)

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Untar the file. Write: tar -zxvf theFile

Once done, move into the directory (which it made). (Again, the cd command.)



Now you will proceed two different ways, depending on the instructions.

Write ( these when writing): gedit README (if it will return an error, try gedit INSTALL / instead 'gedit' you can write 'cat', it will show the text file in the terminal, if it's more comfortable). It may have specific instruction for installing it than the following one. Sometimes there's no such file, then skip this whole paragraph.

Usually it will tell you what dependencies you need before installing it - _install_ them (mostly you can do so the easy way from Software Center / Synaptic), otherwise you'll have to do some googling.

Also, if it has its own specific instructions, you should proceed as the file says and ignore following:





While are you in the folder, write: ./configure

It ensures you have all the dependencies. There's quite a big chance it will throw errors and you will get frustrated over time, so get yourself some tea.

If everything will proceed with 'ok' (take a look at the latest output), then you can move on. If not, it will usually tell you what dependencies to install. The safest way is to google what it wants (or look specifically the forums you DL'ed the file from).



Afterwards, write: make

It will compile the source code into executable binaries.



Then: sudo make install (it will requite your password)

In the end just write: make clean (it will get rid of of all files you don't need anymore)





By this time it should perfectly work. The biggest time will take installing all the dependencies, if there are any.



Hope this helped.

Answer 3

If you're using ubuntu, you should've downloaded it from the Ubuntu Software Center or whatever its called. That way you wouldn't require then need to compile the software yourself (.tar.gz is the source files for all the linux distros, if you can't seem to get it through the software/package manager/center, look for a .deb file. Those are like the installer files of Ubuntu)

Answer 4

How to install tar.gz file on Ubuntu

http://en.kioskea.net/faq/14903-how-to-install-tar-gz-file-on-ubuntu



Ubuntu 12.04 LTS User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu_Precise



Ubuntu 11.10 User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu_Oneiric



Ubuntu 11.04 User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Natty





LUg.