This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of essential tools. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 developer needs to compile software from source and install it under /opt/custom. To avoid affecting the system package manager, which approach should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Compile with './configure --prefix=/opt/custom' and then 'make install'
Option D is correct because using `./configure --prefix=/opt/custom` sets the installation root to `/opt/custom`, which keeps the compiled software completely separate from the system-managed directories (e.g., `/usr`, `/usr/local`). Running `make install` then installs all files under this custom prefix, ensuring the system package manager (RPM/YUM/DNF) is not affected by the manual installation.
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.
✗
Compile and install with default paths, then use 'make uninstall' to remove
Why it's wrong here
Default paths place files under /usr/local which may conflict; make uninstall is not reliable.
✗
Compile with './configure --prefix=/opt/custom' and use 'checkinstall' to create an RPM
Why it's wrong here
checkinstall creates a package but not required; direct install is fine.
✗
Compile with './configure --prefix=/usr' and then install
Why it's wrong here
This places files under /usr, interfering with package manager.
✓
Compile with './configure --prefix=/opt/custom' and then 'make install'
Why this is correct
Keeps installation isolated in /opt/custom.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Red Hat often tests the misconception that `--prefix=/usr/local` is safe, but the trap here is that `/usr/local` can still be managed by the system package manager in some configurations, and the only way to guarantee no interference is to use a completely separate directory like `/opt/custom`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `--prefix` option passed to `configure` sets the installation paths for binaries, libraries, and configuration files (e.g., `/opt/custom/bin`, `/opt/custom/lib`). This is a standard GNU Autotools convention; the resulting `Makefile` uses these paths during `make install`. In Red Hat Enterprise Linux, `/opt` is reserved for add-on application software (per FHS), making it ideal for manual compilations that must not interfere with RPM-managed paths like `/usr` or `/usr/local`.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Essential Tools — This question tests Essential Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Compile with './configure --prefix=/opt/custom' and then 'make install' — Option D is correct because using `./configure --prefix=/opt/custom` sets the installation root to `/opt/custom`, which keeps the compiled software completely separate from the system-managed directories (e.g., `/usr`, `/usr/local`). Running `make install` then installs all files under this custom prefix, ensuring the system package manager (RPM/YUM/DNF) is not affected by the manual installation.
What should I do if I get this EX200 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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