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The Shell Game not cool

PostPosted: 10. February 2010 21:15
by joecrunk
Brand new Linux user.Like a week old.
Love it.
Hate trying to install new programs.
Attempting to run a local server for my web design projects.
The instructions say to use this line in a shell:

tar xvfz xampp-linux-1.7.3a.tar.gz -C /opt

When I do,I get this error message:

tar xvfz xampp-linux-1.7.3a.tar.gz -C /opt
tar: xampp-linux-1.7.3a.tar.gz: Cannot open: No such file or directory
tar: Error is not recoverable: exiting now
tar: Child returned status 2
tar: Exiting with failure status due to previous errors

To me,thats like speaking Swahili(no offense Swahili speakers I only know English).

When I see "tar" I immediately think of "feathers", not a file system.
Please help me see the error in my ways.I knew up front there would be learning curve so no big deal just need some help.
I know the problem is my lack of understanding,not the systems lack of capability.
Thanks.

Re: The Shell Game not cool

PostPosted: 12. February 2010 14:19
by syntax_error
I guess you are trying to unpack the archive from the wrong directory. When you launch terminal (Gnome Terminal, KTerminal or so) you usually start in your home directory. You can use command cd (Change Directory) to go to the directory where you have XAMPP downloaded (e.g. cd Downloads).
Then you can execute that tar command. (Which, BTW, means Tape ARchive; it makes sense if you are willing to dig a bit deeper.)

Or if you can't figure out where you have downloaded the archive, just download it again into current working dir:
Code: Select all
wget http://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/xampp/XAMPP%20Linux/1.7.3a/xampp-linux-1.7.3a.tar.gz

And then again
Code: Select all
tar xvfz xampp-linux-1.7.3a.tar.gz -C /opt


I see your point in aversion to shell - most of us had to go through it. But once you get used to it, you'll see yourself how effective the shell can be (actually more effective than GUI). Just try to be a bit open minded; shell is Linux's (Unix's) strength, not weakness. :wink:

Re: The Shell Game not cool

PostPosted: 12. February 2010 19:16
by joecrunk
I really appreciate the explanation.
Most of the digging I do,shows you install options with the assumption that you understand all the command line,and I don't.
I send all my downloads to a default directory "downloads" under my home folder.
That is were Xampp is sitting.
I really have to watch were I download files because for the most part they are immediately moved to folders inside other programs or edited and sent to my remote server via FTP.
I learned the hard way to stay organized.
I am frustrated,but learning and need to search more for a glossary of terms for Linux so I can get a better grasp on what I am doing.

Thank you for your response.