programming basics: configure, make, install
MAKE is a program that will ensure you are building your newest program from the most recent source code and according to any rules you've passed to it.
e.g. 1. look for new rules (instructions) from the user 2. use built in rules a. linker (ld) to find any .o (object) files to build the new program b. find any .c (source code) files to build the new program c. compare the file timestamp of any .o and .c files to see which is newest d. if necessary, build a new .o file from the .c file
CONFIGURE is a program that prepares the environment so that you can run MAKE
./configure ... creates a new MAKE file (an executable script as described above)
INSTALL runs make (again), finds the final most recent executable binary, and creates folders, moves files, sets permissions, etc. as necessary