GCC: where to compile it

[Joel Hammer]

 I have downloaded the sources for gcc-2.95.3   
 
 I want to compile this thing, and it seems to config OK and make ok.
 I am totally confused on where this should go. The instructions from the
 install file are reproduced here, and I would appreciate an English
 translation with an example.
 ============Instructions===================
  Like most GNU software, GCC must be configured before it can be built.
    This document describes the recommended configuration procedure for
    both native and cross targets.
  
    We use _srcdir_ to refer to the toplevel source directory for GCC; we
    use _objdir_ to refer to the toplevel build/object directory.
  
    First, we _highly_ recommend that GCC be built into a separate
    directory than the sources which does _not_ reside within the source
    tree. This is how we generally build GCC; building where _srcdir_ ==
    _objdir_ should still work, but doesn't get extensive testing;
    building where _objdir_ is a subdirectory of _srcdir_ is unsupported.
  
    Second, when configuring a native system, either "cc" or "gcc" must be
    in your path or you must set CC in your environment before running
    configure. Otherwise the configuration scripts may fail.
  
    To configure GCC:
  
      % mkdir _objdir_
      % cd _objdir_
      % _srcdir_/configure _[target]_ _[options]_         
 
 ==============End of instructions=====================
 
 Basically, I don't have a clue what to use for _srcdir_ and _objdir_
 Some insight on target and options would be helpful, too. Also top level
 build and top level source are puzzling, although I think the top level
 source contains the MAINTAINERS file.
 
 Thanks,
 
 Joel