[CentOS] Guidance: compile education

This question may not belong in the Centos.org list, but I do want to compile against this distro. Please advise.

The question:

Can I be pointed at methods to learn to compile source against a distro. I have software development background (but too long ago to be specifically useful; however I have the concepts). Typically I can find some fairly decent step-by-steps for some apps, but it never works out. Which means I am missing the basics.

I have been working with Centos and Fedora through many VM and metal installs, so that part is OK. I am getting tired of constantly trying to find the app I want in the distro, or an applicable rpm. It's time to compile.

Stan