Compiling fluxbox in Debian, error: requires the X Window libraries and headers

[apeekaboo]

*** This problem is now solved ***
Thank you for your interest!


I was curious about installing Debian because I've heard many people talking about how good it is.
I used LordSutch mini-ISO to get a slim install, and then I used dselect to add what I needed, downloading it from the net.
Everything fine so far, but (there's always a but...):

I want to compile fluxbox from source (so I can add 'remember-patch').
When I run the configure script I get this error:
configure: error: Fluxbox requires the X Window System libraries and headers

Ok, so I figure I only need to use apt-get and download XFree86-devel (as it's called in RedHat) but I can't seem to find it...
From what I can see, Debian calls the X-packages xserver-* but I can't seem to find any 'xserver-xfree86-devel' or 'xserver-devel'.

I already have these packages installed:
xserver-common_4.1.0-16_i386.deb
xserver-xfree86_4.1.0-16_i386.deb

I checked packages.debian.org to see if I could get a clue of what the packages are called, but I couldn't find any of interest besides the ones I already have.
I also checked the homepage of XFree86 to see if they had any binaries for Debian, but no such luck...

So, anyone have any suggestions to how I can add X libraries and headers in Debian... or am I digging in the wrong hole here? :confused:
Any suggestions would be much appreciated since I'm a complete n00b with Debian! :)

[Joe_Atlanta]

http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages

Use the search function on that page to find fluxbox, it will tell you the dependencies. Depending on the version of FB you are using you may need to change your sources list to the unstable or testing branches. Searching on the stable branch gave me this result:
http://packages.debian.org/stable/x11/fluxbox.html

If that's not your version, search on the "unstable" and "testing " branches. Keep in mind that installing the latest and greatest (and their dependencies) can sometimes break a "stable" install. I use my box for work, so I stick with stable.

edit: BTW, the way, do yourself a favor and apt-get install synaptic. It's a great gui browser and front end for apt-get, lets you see what you have installed and what's available from your sources list. Must be run from su.

[apeekaboo]

Ok, synaptic seems like a good idea to install.

But I think you missunderstood me.
It's not fluxbox I want to install from a package and when fluxbox is installed from package I don't need the development kit for X (at least not in RedHat...)
I need to install fluxbox from source so I can patch it first.

[2damncommon]

apt-cache showpkg <packagename>
will show you dependencies for a binary install. Not sure how to check for extras needed by source.
I believe Debian uses "dev" rather than "devel"
dpkg --list *dev*
will list "dev" packages available for install.

[apeekaboo]

Aaaaaahhh.. Thanks guys, you are the greatest! :)

After doing some variants on
# dpkg --list *lib* |less
and
# dpkg --list *dev* |less

I decided that this package looked like a safe bet:
xlibs-dev 4.1.0-16 X Window System client library development

After doing an
# apt-get install xlibs-dev
I was able to configure and make the fluxbox source.

# which fluxbox
/usr/local/bin/fluxbox
showed that the binary was in place

After adding 'exec /usr/local/bin/fluxbox' to ~/.xinitrc I was able to start fluxbox with startx. :)

[Joe_Atlanta]

Hey, congrats, welcome to Debian. Main thing I've had to keep in mind is that the different "branches" (stable, testing, and unstable) don't always work together. To install the latest, greatest anything on stable (Woody) can be a chore. That being said, here's a fun link, unofficial apt depositories (http://www.apt-get.org/).

BTW, how was the install with Lord Sutch?

[apeekaboo]

Thanks for the link! It will certainly come to use. :)

I haven't yet completed an install from the original Debian discs so I can't give an honest review compaired to that... as soon as I found Lord Sutch (http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/debian-cd/) I aborted the download of the official discs.
However, I did have the first 3 disc already downloaded so I wanted to have a quick look at the official installer and I used it just a bit, until Lord Sutch was downloaded.

Lord Sutch (http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/debian-cd/) was nice and easy to use and it's only 185 Mb to download.
After I'd used dselect, there was an additional 300-400 Mb to download from the net.
This makes for an up to date install with software installed just for my taste! :)

[Joe_Atlanta]

Originally posted by apeekaboo
Lord Sutch (http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/debian-cd/) was nice and easy to use and it's only 185 Mb to download.
After I'd used dselect, there was an additional 300-400 Mb to download from the net.
This makes for an up to date install with software installed just for my taste! :) Wow, only 185mb to get started! Once you've run it awhile please do a report, I haven't heard anything about it other than this thread.

[apeekaboo]

Sure, I can come back with a report later on.