I've come across some tools or applications in their repositories that offer the source code along with instructions for compiling it myself. I'm curious to know if there are significant benefits to compiling software on my own machine rather than simply downloading a pre-built package or executable. Are there specific situations where compiling is more advantageous? Thanks for any insights!
1 Answer
Compiling from source can offer some performance benefits, especially if you know what you're doing. It's usually useful for scenarios where there isn't a pre-packaged version available, or if you're looking to create optimized versions of the software. It can also be great for reviewing the code. However, if you’re not experienced, you might end up with messy installs and frustration.
You're right! Plus, there are cases where you might want a newer version than what's available in your current OS package manager. Instead of upgrading your whole system, you can compile the new version from source, which is sometimes called backporting. Just make sure not to overlook dependencies!