What is cross compiler?

[Surender Reddy]

Hi,

I have idea about compiler, but what is the cross compiler?
Where it is useful?

 

[shaiko]

Cross compiler is a compiler that builds executable files on one OS that are intended to run on a different OS.
For example: a compiler for Linux code that runs on a Windows system.

 

[Surender Reddy]

can you please give me example for cross compiler?
How can I implement the same on Ubuntu?

 

[shaiko]

I know that "Eclipse" is a cross compiler.
While working with Windows OS - You can compile Linux targeted code on it.

 

[Surender Reddy]

ok
thanks for the worthful information

 

[FvM]

I know that "Eclipse" is a cross compiler.

It's actually an IDE that can be presently used with different compilers, including cross compilers.

 

[shaiko]

I'm hardly an expert in this field - but I think this is a nice example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-yw-aD8CTI

 

[Surender Reddy]

You mean that if we compile a C source code in windows, the executable file should work in Windows and Linux (let other platform).

Again no need to compile in Linux, right?

- - - Updated - - -

anybody there?

 

[srizbf]

You mean that if we compile a C source code in windows, the executable file should work in Windows and Linux (let other platform).

Again no need to compile in Linux, right?

- - - Updated - - -

anybody there?

No. it cannot be.

 

[Surender Reddy]

then give me more clarity with suitable example...........

 

[FvM]

There's not only Windows or Linux, Android, iOS there are also different processor targets like x86, ARM etc.

Many modern compilers like Microsoft Visual Studio are multiplatform + multitarget tools. That's a bit more than a classical cross compiler.

 

[ads-ee]

The Andriod SDK/Studio is a perfect example of a classic cross compiler. The Android SDK/Studio runs on a Windows platform, but compiles to a .apk that runs on an Android system. You have to run an Andriod emulator on the Windows machine to check the compiled apk as it does not run native on the Windows system.

 

[Surender Reddy]

Now i got it
Thanx for your support

 

[legend01]

A cross compiler is a compiler used for compiling codes on a host architecture which is to be used on a target of different architecture.

There are different processor architectures like intel x86, Arm, Mips, powerPc etc..

Compiled codes on a particular architecture generally does not work on another architecture, so a cross compiler which supports both host and target architecture is used to compile the code which is sent to the target.

If you are working on intel x86 pc, examples of cross compilers for arm are gcc-arm-linux, Armstrong. .etc


I hope this makes it a bit clear. .

 

[srizbf]

assume that you are generating binary for 80x86 processor for pc using a compiler.

if you use a pc itself that compiler is self compiler.
if you use a Mac with a compiler to generate code for 80x86 , then that compiler used in Mac is cross compiler.

 

[Arya Kumar]

Eclipse is not a cross compiler its just an IDE.
:-D