When installing from source you need compilers and other tools. If a ./configure script says it needs gcc, this is for you.
If you have Fedora CDs, the easy way to install is though the applications tool. Run Main Menu > System Settings > Add/Remove Applications. Under the Development category, check Development Tools box and click Update. Easy.
The prefered way to install software is with rpm packages via
yum, however.
Edit: Apparently later versions of yum support groups. Get the list of groups with
To install development tools run
Code:
yum groupinstall "Development Tools"