LDCONFIG
( Where are the Libs ? )


Sometimes when you install a program from source it can complain that a certain library is missing . . . and still you know that the lib it is complaining about is actually installed on your system. But most likely it is not on the default place ( /usr/lib ) where the program looks for the lib.

There is a file on your system where all the paths to the libraries are mentioned: the /etc/ld.so.conf file. Here is an example of the /etc/ld.so.conf file on Slackware:
 

So, what's the solution ?

1). First locate the lib the program is complaining about, maybe it is in /usr/lib/qt/lib or in /usr/include or any other odd location.

2). Next add the path to that lib in the /etc/ld.so.conf file. So, for our example the /etc/ld.so.conf file would look like:
 

3). Finally to let the system know that you updated the /etc/ld.so.conf file and make it use the new values give the command:

Now you can run the program that was complaining when we started this Tip and you will see that this time it will find the library . . . . have fun !



Bruno



-- Jan 30 2006 --