Linux Error: curses.h: No such file or directory Problem Solution

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Question:

I see following error when I run make command to install specific software:

curses.h: No such file or directory Problem Solution

How do I fix this error under Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) or CentOS / Fedora Linux?

Answer:

You need to install the curses library which include routines for a terminal-independent method of updating character screens with reasonable optimization. The ncurses (new curses) library is a freely distributable replacement for the discontinued 4.4 BSD classic curses library.

Fix this error under RHEL / Fedora / CentOS Linux

Type the following command at a shell prompt as root user:

# yum install ncurses-devel ncurses

For example:-

# yum install ncurses-devel ncurses
Loading "downloadonly" plugin
Loading "rhnplugin" plugin
Loading "security" plugin
rhel-x86_64-server-vt-5 100% |=========================| 1.2 kB 00:00
rhel-x86_64-server-5 100% |=========================| 1.2 kB 00:00
Setting up Install Process
Parsing package install arguments
Package ncurses - 5.5-24.20060715.x86_64 is already installed.
Package ncurses - 5.5-24.20060715.i386 is already installed.
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package ncurses-devel.x86_64 0:5.5-24.20060715 set to be updated
---> Package ncurses-devel.i386 0:5.5-24.20060715 set to be updated
--> Finished Dependency Resolution

Dependencies Resolved

================================================== ===========================
Package Arch Version Repository Size
================================================== ===========================
Installing:
ncurses-devel x86_64 5.5-24.20060715 rhel-x86_64-server-5 1.7 M
ncurses-devel i386 5.5-24.20060715 rhel-x86_64-server-5 1.6 M

Transaction Summary
================================================== ===========================
Install 2 Package(s)
Update 0 Package(s)
Remove 0 Package(s)

Total download size: 3.3 M
Is this ok [y/N]: y
Downloading Packages:
(1/2): ncurses-devel-5.5- 100% |=========================| 1.6 MB 00:01
(2/2): ncurses-devel-5.5- 100% |=========================| 1.7 MB 00:01
Running rpm_check_debug
Running Transaction Test
Finished Transaction Test
Transaction Test Succeeded
Running Transaction
Installing: ncurses-devel ######################### [1/2]
Installing: ncurses-devel ######################### [2/2]

Installed: ncurses-devel.x86_64 0:5.5-24.20060715 ncurses-devel.i386 0:5.5-24.20060715
Complete!

Fix this error under Debian / Ubuntu Linux

$ sudo apt-get install libncurses5-dev libncursesw5-dev

After this you should able to compile any program under Linux. Enjoy..