[mythtv-users] Question about testing a patch

[Harry Devine]

OK, so I have the latest Mythbuntu 0.22-fixes auto-build installed 
(22954 I think; I'm not @ home to verify), and I downloaded the latest 
trunk (22970) to look around the code.  I have an idea for an 
improvement (at least 1 I'd like to see).  I was looking at the code and 
I have an idea on what I need to do, but I've never compiled Myth from 
source before.  So, I have a few questions:

1) When I upgraded to Mythbuntu 9.10 and 0.22, should the required 
development tools already be installed for me?

2) My system is the 64 bit version.  Does the Wiki have the steps 
documented on how to compile from source?  The ./configure step, etc.?  
Should I see what my existing mythbackend and mythfrontend were compiled 
with using --version so I can setup the configure script properly?

3) Since I don't want to reinstall everything, can I check out the same 
version from SVN that's on my system?  Then, can I stop mythbackend, 
rename the executable, and put the new one in its place?  The code is in 
the backend only from what I can tell.  Is this sufficient?

4) After I (hopefully) test the change, I assume I can submit the 
updated code to the developers in Trac somehow, right?

Thanks for any help.  Please go easy on me, its my 1st attempt at trying 
to implement a patch.

Harry