Mark Whitis's Website

Cross compiling to other operating systems from linux (or un*x) using gcc

Compiled by Mark Whitis (whitis@freelabs.com).

Why this page?

I am starting this page to collect and disseminate information related primarly to using linux (and un*x in general) as a cross development platform for other operating systems. I am hoping that other people with similar interests will help me collect some of this information.

Red Hat RPMs are particularly encouraged. So are installation scripts which detail how to add a particular cross compiling ability to a pre installed gcc installation. Here are some suggestions for better installation scripts:

Scripts should be executable shell code (preferably bash)
Scripts should clearly state where to obtain the sources. Better yet, they should actually get them. I usually do this by putting something one or more commands like:
```
   ncftp -r ftp://ftp.somedomain.com/pub/somedir/file.tar.gz
   lynx -source http://www.somedomain.com/blah/file.tar.gz
```
at the beginning of the script.
Scripts should state what directories the software will compile itself for and install itself in in the comments.
Better yet, if the script has variables at the beginning for install locations, this is a significant improvement. It is kind of a pain, however, to use tools like sed to relocate the software. I plan to write some software to make this easier.
Patches can be treated like sources (i.e. give the URL with "ncftp -r" or "lynx -source" commands) or they can be included like so:
```
   patch <<\...EOF...
   unified diff or context diff goes here
   ...EOF...
```
This information on scripts will probably move to its own home page with some sample scripts.

Links to emulators are also encouraged.

Links sorted by target OS:

General purpose (Deskhog/laptop) Operating Systems

WinCE (Windows CE)

MSDOS - 386/486/586/686, Pentium (P5), Pentium Pro (P6), and compatibles.

DJ Delorie has ported gcc to MSDOS on 386 and higher processors. Some information on how to cross compile from a Linux or unix system is availible at:

DJ Delorie's Cross Compiling links page
Script to build a Linux-to-dos cross compiler
DJ delories's Building GCC 2.7.0 as a Unix to DOS cross-compiler
"DJGPP is a complete 32-bit C/C++ development system for Intel 80386 (and higher) PCs running DOS. It includes ports of many GNU development utilities. The development tools require a 80386 or newer computer to run, as do the programs they produce. In most cases, the programs it produces can be sold commercially without license or royalties."

MSDOS - 88/86/286

Microsoft Windows 3.1

Microsoft Windows 95

Cygnus GNU-Win32 is a port of gcc to the windows NT and Windows 95 platform.

GNU-Win32 provides a more unix like environment and is used to compile traditional unix programs under windows NT (intel) or 95. Adds fork, spawn, signals, select, sockets, etc.
Minimalist GNU-Win32 is a derivative of GNU-Win32 which provides a more windoze flavored environment without the unix enhancements.

Microsoft Windows NT

See Windows 95 above for GNU-Win32.
Unix to NT Resource Center has many of the tools needed for unix gurus who are trapped in an NT environment.

Macintosh OS - Power PC

Macintosh OS - 68K

ARDI sells a package called Executor which emulates a 68K processor and the MacOS for $249. It runs under Linux, MS-DOS (including Windows 3.x, Windows 95, and OS/2), and Nextstep and the license permits you to run on any or all of those platforms on a single cpu. A demo is availible for download. Compatibility is poor; Executor uses no code from apple and emulates only a portion of System 7.0. As far as I know, ARDI does not supply source code for this product.
iX article describing the Executor Macintosh emulator and its limitations
MAE is Apple's Mac emulator for Sun and HP un*x machines. MAE uses most of the actual code from the Mac OS, which is a big plus for compatibility. Unfortunately, it only runs on machines with ass-backwards (big-endian) byte order and Apple's code is allegedly so horrible that it is unlikely that this will change. There is about zero probability that apple supplies source code to this product.

OS/2

EMX is Eberhard Mattes's OS/2 port of the GNU development environment. Note that this runs under OS/2. Most of the pieces you need to make a cross compiler are probably there.

GCC can already cross compile from one unix platform to another (with some hiccups). GCC can already be used for many embedded system applications on many different target platforms if you do not need OS functions or C libraries.

Amiga

"Geek Gadgets provides virtually all the tools you need to get started programming on these platforms, including C, C++, Fortran, and ADA compilers, assembler, linker, EMACS editor, "make", source code control systems (rcs & cvs), text and file utilities, GNU debugger, text formatters (groff & TeX) and many more. It also provides a port of the X Window System (X11 R6.3). Have a look at the list of available packages for details. "

Handheld/pocket computers, palmtops, HPC's, and PDA's

MSDOS + HPLX extensions (for HP200LX, HP100LX, HP95LX platforms)

PalmOS (for USR Pilot)

There is a port of GCC for the pilot

Newton OS

MagicCAP

8 and 16 bit microprocessors

6502 Family

CC65 C compiler with assembler, a linker, and archiver. The C compiler supports pretty much full ANSI C except for floating point. A partial standard C library is also included; system specific functions support various common 6502 platforms.
VICE Commodore (6502) emulator

1802 Family

Cosmac Elf page has a TinyELF emulator for PalmOS which emulates the Cosmac ELF and ELF II, complete with bitmapped graphics. Presumably, you could run this under Xcopilot (even with the overhead of double emulation, it will probably be as fast or faster than the old 1802 machines).

Microcontrollers

PIC The GNUPIC page lists development tools for PIC chips.

Game machines

Atari ST

It appears that there is a port of GCC to the atari ST platform.

Misc.

Alternate standard C libraries

I am also interested in alternative standard C libraries for gcc (for linux and other platforms) which are not tainted by the GPL. I have not gotten around to writing a page devoted to why I despise the GPL even though I am very much in favor of distributing source code (and have advocated the latter at considerable personal expense). In the mean time, before you release software under GPL, remember that your decision to do so is IRREVERSIBLE. You can always release software under BSD style or Artistic License style now and change to GPL if you really want to later after you have studied the fine print. I much prefer BSD style copyrights or Larry Wall's Artistic License.

Ports of gcc which run under other platforms

Many of these ports contain most of the necessary pieces. They will be filed under the appropriate platform above.

Emulators

These will be listed under the apporopriate platform above. There are a lot of emulators I have not listed above listed on Red Hat's Linux Applications and Utilities Page.

Misc. Links

How to contribute:

For now, just send me an email message with the URL and a brief description. If you want to format it as a valid HTML fragment, great; otherwise, I will. If you want to contribute something which is not already on the net, email it to me.

Senior Engineer for hire
Software Development - Electronic Design - Embedded Systems - Device Drivers - System/Network Administration and Security - Motor Control, RobotCNC - Linux/Un*x - 25+ years experience
The author of these pages is looking for a new gig.
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