Upgrading Compiled Software

[i_like_peanut_butter]

I've got a question about software I've installed from source. When a new version comes out, do I need to uninstall the old version first or can I just install the old version over it? Or is it a case by case basis?

Thanks.

[camelrider]

It's a case-by-case thing. Usually after you unpack the package the INSTALL.txt or similar file should let you know if you have to remove previous versions, or parts of same. I've sometimes not found out until I was at the "make install" stage, but then I was still able to do whatever was necessary, (such as "make uninstall" in the old version's directory) to get going again. For this reason I always keep the directory from which I did the install as long as I think I might need to uninstall or reconfigure a package.

[Molecule Man]

Install into its own directory in /usr/local . Then it is an easy rm -rf foldername.