UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I am a Linux noob, and have been trying to compile some source in Linux and I am lost. I am a game modder and I have some open source code which I have compiled in windows a million times but now I need to compile in Linux.

If this thread fails to help me, I will credit anyone who can personally help me when I do my next project.

So far I have Debian 4.0 and Ubutu 8.04 desktops on VMware server. I am NOT a command line kind of guy, so the Intel Linux compiler and Kdevelope applications are of peak interest to me. The problem is I can't get them installed on about (4) versions of Linux.

When I launch install.sh for the intel compiler I select "run in terminal" since "Run" does nothing and then it tells me "one of the missing commands is g++" and "locate and install the proper g++ package". I assume that means I need to install something before I install the Intel compiler. I researched g++ package for Debian and found the etch g++ portable compiler package. I downloaded it but don't know what to do with it, there is no install file. <<---windows brain-washed

My questions are:
Am I on the right track?
How do I proceed from this point?

Before you answer...this is a learning process for me, please be specific.

If you have internet access then open a terminal and type (assuming you're logged in as 'root')

Code:

sudo apt-get install g++

to install g++ (GNU C++ Compiler). You'll be asked for your password if you're not logged in as root. And this is ok.

When I do that it asks me for a password then when I enter what I think it shoud be it says "username is not in the sudoers file". "this incident will be reported"

Try su - instead, enter the root password, and then apt-get install g++. You'll then need to exit from the root shell.

Well, I tried your first suggestion on ubutu instead of debian and presto! it worked. I installed the intel compiler and it finished. So thanks for that! Is it supposed to have an application shortcut? because I can't find the application...heh

I am thinking maybe it launches automaticlly when I initiate a file in my source code???

Thanks for your help thus far!