developerWorks: A Cross-Development Primer

Oct 14, 2003, 06:00 (0 Talkback[s])
(Other stories by Peter Seebach)

"Often, programs are compiled on one computer, then distributed to other computers to be used. When the host system (the one the compiler is running on) and the target system (the one the resulting programs will run on) are not compatible environments, the process is called cross compilation.

"Other than the obvious benefit of compatibility, cross compilation is quite important for two reasons:

1. "When the target system doesn't have a native set of compilation tools available to it.
2. "When the host system is dramatically faster, or has greater available resources, than the target system.

"In this article, I'll discuss the initial setup of a cross-compilation environment, using the Sharp Zaurus series of handheld computers as a focus. I'll cover the installation of tools, basic compilation issues, how to install programs on the handheld, and such advanced issues as building programs that use configure scripts. You'll benefit most if you follow the article as it is structured because the article is written similar to a tutorial, with steps that follow each other in logical order..."

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