Questions,,,,so many questions....

So have you ever really like someone but you don't know if they return the feelings???? This is the issue I am having at the moment. There is one my friends who I really really like but I don't know if he likes me the same way......I have no idea what to do because I don't want to ruin the friendship at all cuz that would really SUCK but should I go out on a limb and ask him out or should I just keep throwing hints and flirting till he asks me out????? So many questions and no answers....Please help :)