The correct answer is to install the 'libssl-dev' package using the system's package manager. This is necessary because the './configure' script, when preparing to compile source code, checks for the presence of development headers and static libraries—in this case, the OpenSSL headers and .so symlinks provided by 'libssl-dev'—which are essential for linking against SSL/TLS functionality during the build process. On the LPIC-1 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of managing build dependencies and the distinction between runtime libraries (like libssl) and their -dev counterparts required for compilation. A common trap is attempting to manually download or symlink files, which is error-prone; the exam expects you to recognize that the package manager is the standard, reliable tool for resolving such missing dependencies. Remember the mnemonic: "To compile, you need the -dev; to run, just the lib is fun."
LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of linux installation and package management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A system administrator wants to compile and install a program from source. After running './configure --prefix=/opt/myapp', the configure script fails with an error about missing 'libssl-dev'. What should the administrator do to resolve this issue?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install the 'libssl-dev' package using the package manager
The configure script requires the development headers and static libraries for OpenSSL to compile software that uses SSL/TLS. The 'libssl-dev' package provides these headers and the .so symlinks needed during compilation. Installing it via the package manager (e.g., apt, yum) is the correct and standard method to satisfy this build dependency.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Install the 'libssl-dev' package using the package manager
Why this is correct
Development packages contain headers required by configure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Manually download and place the missing header files in /usr/include
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard practice; likely to cause inconsistencies.
✗
Install the 'libssl' runtime library
Why it's wrong here
Runtime libraries do not include headers.
✗
Add the '--disable-ssl' flag to ./configure
Why it's wrong here
If the program requires SSL, disabling may cause build failures.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse runtime libraries (libssl) with development libraries (libssl-dev), or think manually copying headers is a valid workaround, when the package manager's -dev package is the intended solution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When './configure' runs, it uses pkg-config or direct compiler tests to locate headers like <openssl/ssl.h> and libraries like -lssl. The 'libssl-dev' package (or 'openssl-devel' on RPM-based systems) installs these under /usr/include/openssl/ and /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/. Without them, the compiler cannot find symbols, and the build fails. In real-world scenarios, missing -dev packages are the most common cause of configure failures, and the fix is always to install the corresponding -dev or -devel package.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-1 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Linux Installation and Package Management — This question tests Linux Installation and Package Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install the 'libssl-dev' package using the package manager — The configure script requires the development headers and static libraries for OpenSSL to compile software that uses SSL/TLS. The 'libssl-dev' package provides these headers and the .so symlinks needed during compilation. Installing it via the package manager (e.g., apt, yum) is the correct and standard method to satisfy this build dependency.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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