I want to get some "build essentials" (like gcc, make, etc.) on an empty micro Linux box. Seems inefficient to spend my time trying to try installing one thing, then realize I need gcc, then realize I need make, then realize I need something else.
What's a good way to do this?
Most distributions have "build-essentials" or an equivalent package, either as an option or installed by default.
build-essential package, which you can install with apt-get install build-essential.yum groupinstall "Development Tools".devel_basis) pattern, which you can install with zypper install --type pattern devel_basis.You could also compile the software you need into packages with checkinstall using another system, then move them over, if for some reason you didn't want a full development environment on the instance of EC2 you are using.
