Understanding the Error: ‘configure’ Exists but is Not Executable

The error message “‘configure’ exists but is not executable” can be a puzzling issue for users of Linux distributions, particularly Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Debian. In this article, we will delve into the causes of this error, explore its consequences, and provide solutions to resolve it.

Causes of the Error

The “R Installation and Administration Manual” explains that when you try to install packages using install.packages(), R searches for a temporary folder called /tmp to store package files. The /tmp directory has a special attribute called “noexec,” which means that only system programs can read or write to it, not user applications.

When R tries to compile and install a package, it needs to execute the configure script, which is typically located in the package’s root directory. However, since the /tmp folder has noexec attribute set, R cannot execute the configure script, resulting in an error message indicating that the file exists but is not executable.

Consequences of the Error

If you encounter this error, your Linux distribution may not be able to install certain packages or update existing ones. This can lead to issues with RStudio, which relies on R packages for its functionality.

Solutions for Ubuntu and Linux Mint

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Unmount the Partition/Folder

First, you need to unmount the partition/folder where /tmp is located. You can do this by running the following command:

mount -o remount,exec /tmp

This will temporarily make the /tmp folder executable.

2. Mount Again

After executing the above command, you need to mount the partition/folder again to make it non-executable. Run the following command to achieve this:

mount -o remount,noexec /tmp

By doing this, you will set the noexec attribute on the /tmp folder.

3. Verify the Results

To verify that the error has been resolved, try running install.packages() again and check if the package is installed successfully.

Solutions for Windows

If you are using Windows, the situation is slightly different. However, you can follow a similar approach to resolve this issue:

1. C:\Program Files\R: The R installation directory on Windows is usually located at C:\Program Files\R, not the RStudio folder.
2. Right-Click Properties: Right-click on the R folder and select “Properties.”
3. Security Tab: In the Properties window, click on the “Security” tab.
4. Group or User Names: Select your username from the list of group names and click “Edit.”
5. Full Control: Click “Select” next to “Full Control” and confirm that you want to apply these settings.

By making these changes, you should be able to resolve the “configure” exists but is not executable" error on Windows.

Additional Considerations

When dealing with Linux distributions or Windows operating systems, it’s essential to understand the file system attributes and permissions. These attributes can affect how certain files are executed or accessed.

In some cases, other package managers like apt-get or pip might also be affected by this error. However, R-specific packages, such as those found in the CRAN repository, are typically not impacted by these issues.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter this error, here are some additional troubleshooting tips:

• Check your system logs for any related errors or warnings.
• Verify that the /tmp folder is indeed set to noexec attribute on Linux distributions and Windows.
• Try using a different package manager or reinstalling R from scratch if all else fails.

By understanding the causes of this error, following the provided solutions, and applying these troubleshooting tips, you should be able to resolve any issues related to “configure” existing but not being executable.

Last modified on 2024-05-13