how do i install a tar.gz file?

Installing a tar.gz file seems like an intimidating task, but it doesn't have to be. This tutorial will walk you through the steps to install a .tar.gz file (known as a "tarball") on your computer.

What is a Tarball?

A tarball is an archive created by Tar, a popular tape archiving software that allows creation of multiple files into one file—similar to a zip file. Since the main potential benefit of using one single file would be for downloading purposes, the compressed tarball contains several other compressed files and directories within it. These files are packaged together in the form of one single tar file.

How To Install A tarball File

1. Download the required tarfile from the web site you intend to install from. Make sure to save it in an appropriate location on your system; this could be personal folder, downloads or even desktop directory on your machine depending upon your preference .

2. Once you have downloaded the required tarfile, open Terminal and navigate to the location where you downloaded the tarfile using cd command which allows you to move around in filesystems with ease or simply click right click on downloaded package and select "Open In Terminal" option which gives direct access that particular directory location in terminal window itself.

3. Now let's extract content of our downloaded package with command:

`tar -xf .tar(optional).gz` `// Here we are extracting content of packagefilename`

Some packages may not be compressed and so may not need ` -xzf` switch along with command (like `topcode-0.9-0ubuntu1_amd64(no additional gz used in packaging)`). Once extraction is complete type ls command to show contents of this directory which should show all extracted contents:

`ls                      // using ls command here 'to check for extracted folder'`

                                               // will show all extracted content inside packagefolder

                                               // Now lets go inside extracted folder

                            cd // here we are moving inside extracted folder 

4 Inside this folder there may also be another README or INSTALL text document containing instructions related to configuration purpose and/or installation process which can be easily followed if required (If no such document then simply continue ahead).. Lets start building package by issuing following command :

./configure          // configure will set up our environmental configuration properly 

5 After successful completion of above step , new messages appears or finally new message show up saying "Now run make to compile" followed by make command :

make // make will compile source code into executables/libraries

                                             // Now finally getting ready for installation

                         sudo make install // sudo prefix provide administrator privileges

6 Installation has now been completed successfully . Upon success messages related to configuration phase appears , afterwards enter exit command inside installed n terminal:

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