title: How to compile a simple source file with GCC in Linux
body: <p>I am trying to compile a set of source files in C in Linux (Ubuntu). When I try to run the following command, I am getting an error telling "ruby.h" is not found.</p>
  
  <pre><code>gcc custom_ext.c
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>This was giving me the following error message.</p>
  
  <pre><code>custom_ext.h:10: fatal error: ruby.h: No such file or directory
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>So I downloaded the entire Ruby source code and put it in a dummy directory <code>/home/braga/ruby_source/ruby_1_8_7</code>. I know that I need to include this directory in the path so that GCC will be able to identify and pick up ruby.h, but I have no idea on how to do that. Please help!!!</p>