Which sequence correctly describes the typical steps to compile software from source?

• A. download it; Make a /src folder; Extract the tarball; Navigate into the folder; ./configure; make; sudo make install; type PROGRAMNAME
• B. Make a /src folder; Extract tarball; Download it; ./configure; make; install; verify
• C. Download; Extract tarball; Configure; Make; Install; Type PROGRAMNAME
• D. Download; Unpack; Run make; Install; Verify

Answer: (A)

When you compile software from source, you follow a standard build flow: obtain the source, organize it, unpack, prepare the build, compile, install, and verify. Creating a dedicated place for sources (like a /src directory) helps keep your system tidy and makes it clear where the source lives. You download the tarball, set up that folder, extract the archive, enter the new source directory, run the configure script to tailor the build to your system, run make to compile, use sudo make install to place the binaries and libraries where the system expects them, and finally run the program to verify it works.

This sequence matches the typical autotools-style workflow: download, extract into a source workspace, configure, compile, install, and test. The final step of running the program is a practical check that the installation succeeded.

Other sequences skip or reorder these essential steps (for example, missing the configure phase, or installing before building, or omitting a verification run), which would not reflect how most source builds are prepared and installed.