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If I won't compile any package myself, do I need .h files that reside in /usr/include or similiar directories. Almost all distro seem to have them, but does an end user needs them at all?

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Try to uninstall them, and your package manager will explain why (and if) you need them. Most distributions won't install the header files unless you install packages (such as the C compiler) that require them. – David Schwartz Feb 20 '12 at 5:24

closed as off topic by soandos, wizlog, Ivo Flipse♦ Jul 12 '12 at 19:57

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Even if you do not compile any package by yourself, still it's a good idea not to remove them. For example, when you try to install new packages, some of them would might certain header files. In fact, you might even need to have additional headers in that case, often by installing a <package_name>-dev package.

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