Julia Evans explains how non-C-programmers can compile C programs from source using make, walking through the full process from installing a compiler to dealing with dependency errors. She uses real examples (paperjam, sqlite, qf) to demonstrate common problems and solutions, focusing on how environment variables like CPPFLAGS and LDLIBS pass flags to the compiler and linker. The post demystifies the configure/make workflow and offers practical tips like looking at how Linux distributions build the same package to find clues for fixing errors. She concludes that understanding C compilation basics is valuable even for people who never plan to write C.
Jun 10, 2025 Linux & SystemsLearning & Teaching
