Libraries and headers for Xfree86

Forum: X and Fluxbox
Topic: Libraries and headers for Xfree86
started by: sloteel

Posted by sloteel on Mar. 31 2005,15:26

Hi all, this is the problem. I've tried to install fbdesk by compiling it, but the shell print those lines:
"...
checking for X... no
checking for incov... yes (non const msg)
checking for iconv_close in -liconv ... yes
checking for iconv_close in libiconv... configure: error: fbdesk requires the x window System libraries and headers.
..."

Well, I've installed the .dsl package and followed the instruction, even if I modified only the .xserverrc in /home/dsl, and for the user it seems ok. The root's X is the distro's one.

Do I need to run XFree86 under root to have a good configure? Or I have to install those "libraries and headers"? Where I can find them?

Thanks to all

Posted by mikshaw on Mar. 31 2005,15:56

You have to install the headers. Linux applications generally are split into "runtime" and "development" files. For using a program in the standard way, all you need is the runtime files, which is what DSL is composed of.
However, if you want to compile any program which uses specific parts of another application (in this case Xfree86), you need the development files, which are headers and dev libraries that the compiler uses to link things together, build the appropriate widgets, etc.

I assume you need the same version of the headers as runtimes, but i may be wrong. In any case, what you would be looking for is a package or packages with names ending in "-dev", or something very similar. There are debian dev packages available for any of the more common apps such as X.

Posted by sloteel on Mar. 31 2005,18:24

Ok, you are really clear but I don't have found any "dev" .deb package. Well, I've found some rpms of suse or Redhat, you think that they will run translated to .deb with alien? I've read that packeges build for one distro doesn't run on another...

Posted by mikshaw on Mar. 31 2005,18:57

This might be what you need, though I'm not sure of the version:
< http://packages.debian.org/cgi-bin....n=names >

You might also try the fbdesk deb package instead of compiling it:
< http://packages.debian.org/cgi-bin....n=names >

Posted by sloteel on Mar. 31 2005,21:13

Wow, I've spent 3 hours to look for those debs...
I tried to install x-window-system-dev but dpkg print a huge list of failed dependencies, all the ones it requires, I think; the packages can't be installed, it said. Maybe the .dsl package of XFree86 is not compatible with debian's ones
Tomorrow I'm trying to install the XFree86 using apt-get, I'm nearly sure that it will not run, but I shouldn't have nothing to do in the afternoon

and DSL install itself in half an hour, it's an heaven for my unluckness

Posted by sloteel on April 01 2005,06:37

Nothing to do, apt-get said that xlibvesa-4.gl can't be removed and so doesn't install the debian xfree86.
Well, I need to erase the desktop icons because of a professional (very small) use of the pc, there are others ways to have it without install XFree86?