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Chapter 10.3 - Compilation and Alternative Packages

Learning Objectives​

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  • Compile software from sources
  • Use Snap for universal packages
  • Use Flatpak for applications
  • Understand the advantages/disadvantages
  • Choose the right tool for the case

Compilation from Sources​

Prerequisites​

# Compilation tools
sudo apt install build-essential  # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo yum groupinstall "Development Tools"  # Red Hat/CentOS

# Necessary tools
# - gcc/g++ (compiler)
# - make (build system)
# - autoconf, automake
# - libtool

Standard Process​

# 1. Download sources
wget http://example.com/software-1.0.tar.gz
tar -xzf software-1.0.tar.gz
cd software-1.0

# 2. Configuration
./configure --prefix=/usr/local

# Common options
./configure --prefix=/usr/local \
            --enable-feature \
            --disable-other \
            --with-library=/usr/lib

# 3. Compilation
make

# 4. Installation
sudo make install

# 5. Cleanup (optional)
make clean

Complete Example​

#!/bin/bash
# Compilation example

VERSION="1.0"
SOFTWARE="my-software"
PREFIX="/usr/local"

# Download
wget "http://example.com/${SOFTWARE}-${VERSION}.tar.gz"
tar -xzf "${SOFTWARE}-${VERSION}.tar.gz"
cd "${SOFTWARE}-${VERSION}"

# Configure
./configure --prefix="$PREFIX"

# Compile
make -j$(nproc)  # Use all CPUs

# Install
sudo make install

# Verify
which my-software
my-software --version

Snap​

What is Snap?​

Snap is a universal package system developed by Canonical.

Advantages:

  • Universal (all distributions)
  • Auto-update
  • Isolation (sandbox)
  • Dependencies included

Installation​

# Ubuntu (already installed)
# Other distributions
sudo apt install snapd  # Debian
sudo yum install snapd  # Red Hat/CentOS

Usage​

# Search
snap find package-name

# Install
sudo snap install package-name

# List installed
snap list

# Update
sudo snap refresh package-name
sudo snap refresh  # All

# Remove
sudo snap remove package-name

# Information
snap info package-name

Examples​

# Popular applications
sudo snap install code        # VS Code
sudo snap install docker      # Docker
sudo snap install node --classic  # Node.js
sudo snap install chromium     # Chromium

Flatpak​

What is Flatpak?​

Flatpak is a universal application distribution system.

Advantages:

  • Universal
  • Isolation
  • Desktop applications
  • Repositories (Flathub)

Installation​

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install flatpak

# Red Hat/CentOS/Fedora
sudo yum install flatpak
# or
sudo dnf install flatpak

Configuration​

# Add Flathub (main repository)
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub \
    https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

# View repositories
flatpak remotes

Usage​

# Search
flatpak search app-name

# Install
flatpak install flathub app-name

# List installed
flatpak list

# Update
flatpak update app-name
flatpak update  # All

# Remove
flatpak uninstall app-name

# Information
flatpak info app-name

Examples​

# Popular applications
flatpak install flathub org.gimp.GIMP
flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC
flatpak install flathub com.spotify.Client

Comparison​

Featureapt/yumSnapFlatpakCompilation
UniversalNoYesYesYes
IsolationNoYesYesNo
SizeSmallLargeLargeVariable
PerformanceExcellentGoodGoodExcellent
UpdatesManualAutoAutoManual
UsageSystemApplicationsDesktopDevelopment

Choosing the Right Tool​

apt/yum​

When to use:

  • System packages
  • Server services
  • Critical performance
  • Full control

Snap​

When to use:

  • Universal applications
  • Automatic updates
  • Necessary isolation
  • Development

Flatpak​

When to use:

  • Desktop applications
  • Necessary isolation
  • Multi-distributions
  • Graphical applications

Compilation​

When to use:

  • Specific version needed
  • Custom compilation options
  • No package available
  • Development

Best Practices​

Compilation​

# 1. Read README/INSTALL
# 2. Check dependencies
# 3. Use appropriate --prefix
# 4. Test before installation
# 5. Document options used

Snap/Flatpak​

# 1. Verify source (official)
# 2. Understand permissions
# 3. Monitor disk space
# 4. Update regularly

Summary​

In this chapter, you learned:

Compilation: configure, make, make install
Snap: Universal packages, auto-update, isolation
Flatpak: Desktop applications, Flathub, isolation
Comparison: Choose according to needs
Practice: Compile, install Snap/Flatpak

Next Steps​

Module 11: Monitoring and Logs (with monitoring crons)
Module 12: Advanced Administration

Chapter created on: December 2024