How to install missing libraries on RedHat linux?

[gcbrackett]

I get Server Error 500 when I attempt to execute a revolution CGI on my ISP's Linux server. The same file with the same line endings and the same permissions executes fine under OS X. On executing revolution itself from the command line, I get the message

revolution: error in loading shared libraries: libXext.so.6:
cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

The wonderful HyperActive Software tutorial explains:

This tells you which library you (or your ISP) will need to install. Revolution requires these libraries, some of which are often omitted by ISPs:

libXext.so.6
libX11.so.6
libm.so.6
libc.so.6
ld-linux.so.2

My ISP "does not install custom libraries." Can anyone point me to instructions on how to do this? The ISP says I have the necessary permissions.

[BvG]

I'm not sure they mean "you got the permissions to install libraries". Most likely they mean "you got the necessary unix permissions, so that your script is able to run".

In other words: if you can't install the library, or make a symlink within a linux system directory to an existing newer version of the file, then you need another host to run the current rev cgi engine on linux.

[gcbrackett]

Thanks for the ideas! I'm pretty sure I do have permission to install libraries, as I have ssh access to administer the server, which is a virtual server and pretty much open for administration. About the only thing I've been unable to do is chown on a root-owned directory or file.

Do you have any suggestions about finding or installing these libraries? I suspect there are others in the same boat, or will be in the same boat.

[BvG]

Ah, I see.

Most likely you have the c and m ones, but all those which have a big X in them mean that they belong to X windowing system, the gui providing framework for unix/linux machines.

You could try to install X windows, but I have heard that rev only checks for the existence of most of the files, but doesn't actually need them (especially the GUI stuff). So you might try to put empty files, named correctly, at the right positions. Unfortunately I don't really know the correct paths to the libXext.so.6 file, but I'm sure you can find some hints on Google, or on another Linux installation.


Ha! Lucky for you, i'm bored.

[trevordevore]

I recently got Rev 2.9 running as a CGI on our Debian Linux server. I had to install libx11 and libext. I used the following commands:

sudo apt-get install libxext6
sudo apt-get install libx11-6

My notes on the process are available at the following url. Perhaps they will help.

http://revolution.screenstepslive.com/l ... bian-Linux

[gcbrackett]

BvG and Trevor, you guys are great! I shall follow your advice, Trevor's first, and if there are any wrinkles I'll post 'em here. Thanks!

[gcbrackett]

Being frugal, I have only a Mac Studio license for Revolution. Is it possible to download just the Standalone (engine) part of Linux Revolution 2.9 from somewhere? The only engine I have found for download is an early 2.4? version, which is the one that requires the libraries. Trevor's directions are great, but they start with an Enterprise installation of Rev.

Or am I dense? (Don't answer that question!)

[gcbrackett]

I'll answer the question myself: I have Revolution 2.81, which doesn't include a Linux standalone. If I had Revolution 2.9 beta, it would be included to create Linux versions. Sometimes I surprise myself with dimness.

[gcbrackett]

I followed Trevor's advice, signed up for the 2.9 beta test, downloaded Revolution Enterprise 2.9 db5, uploaded the standalone for Linux, set its permissions etc., executed it on the command line and got the same message about the missing X11 library. Trevor found the same problem, aas he indicated, but solved it by installing the needed libraries. Unfortunately on my webhost's server, the sudo command (execute as root) is not found (path issue?), nor is the apt-get command found. Stumped for the moment. Maybe I need a different webhost?

[BvG]

Yes, most webhost don't allow every customer to change the system installation, for obvious reasons. However, some do install stuff when the customers ask for them.