Cross-compiler: Difference between revisions

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Cross-compilers and cross-assemblers have a variety of uses: bringing up an [[operating system]] on a new machine, or creating code for a system (e.g. an [[embedded processor]]) on which it is not intended to host a software development environment, etc, etc.
Cross-compilers and cross-assemblers have a variety of uses: bringing up an [[operating system]] on a new machine, or creating code for a system (e.g. an [[embedded processor]]) on which it is not intended to host a software development environment, etc, etc.
It is of course possible to cross-compile a cross-compiler.  In the general case, this involves three types of CPUs: the ''build machine'' is doing the cross-compilation, the ''host machine'' is for running the new cross-compiler, which creates object code for the ''target machine''. This technique is sometimes called '''Canadian cross-compilation'''.
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[[Category: Software Concepts‎]]

Latest revision as of 21:33, 27 June 2024

A cross-compiler is a compiler which runs on one type of CPU, but creates object code for a different type of CPU. A cross-assembler is similar - an assembler which produces object code for a different type of machine.

Cross-compilers and cross-assemblers have a variety of uses: bringing up an operating system on a new machine, or creating code for a system (e.g. an embedded processor) on which it is not intended to host a software development environment, etc, etc.

It is of course possible to cross-compile a cross-compiler. In the general case, this involves three types of CPUs: the build machine is doing the cross-compilation, the host machine is for running the new cross-compiler, which creates object code for the target machine. This technique is sometimes called Canadian cross-compilation.