Compiling native GCC for arm using cross-compiler

Introduction

Cross-compiling is process of compiling program for different system than one it is being compiled on. It is typically done to target embedded systems or compile for a different architecture than host system. process of cross-compiling for ARM is essential when targeting embedded systems that are commonly found in Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In this article, we will discuss how to compile native GCC for ARM using a cross-compiler.

What is ARM?

ARM is a type of processor architecture that is widely used in embedded systems. It is a type of Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture that is used in a variety of devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices. ARM processors are known for their low power consumption, high efficiency, and scalability. They are designed to be used in low-power and low-cost devices, making them ideal for use in embedded systems.

What is a Cross-compiler?

A cross-compiler is a compiler that is used to compile code for a different system than one it is being compiled on. It is typically used to compile code for embedded systems or to target a different architecture than host system. cross-compiler generates code that is optimized for target architecture and can be executed on target system.

Cross-compiling Native GCC for ARM

GCC is a widely used open-source compiler that supports multiple programming languages. It is available for multiple architectures, including ARM. In this section, we will discuss how to cross-compile native GCC for ARM using a cross-compiler.

Step 1: Installing cross-compiler

To cross-compile native GCC for ARM, we need to first install cross-compiler. There are multiple cross-compilers available, such as Linaro, Yocto, and Buildroot. In this article, we will be using Linaro as cross-compiler.

To install Linaro cross-compiler, we need to download Linaro toolchain from Linaro website. Once downloaded, we need to extract toolchain to a directory of our choice.

Step 2: Configuring cross-compiler

Once cross-compiler is installed, we need to configure it to compile code for ARM. To do this, we need to set PATH variable to include directory where cross-compiler is installed. We can do this by adding following line to .bashrc file −

export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/cross-compiler/bin

Next, we need to set environment variables to point to cross-compiler. We can do this by running following command −

export CC=arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc

This sets CC environment variable to name of cross-compiler.

Step 3: Compiling native GCC for ARM

With cross-compiler configured, we can now compile native GCC for ARM. To do this, we need to download GCC source code and extract it to a directory of our choice. We can then configure GCC for cross-compilation by running following command −

./configure --target=arm-linux-gnueabihf --prefix=/path/to/install/gcc --enable-languages=c,c++

This command configures GCC to cross-compile for ARM and installs it to specified directory. We can then compile GCC by running make command.

Once GCC is compiled, we can test it by cross-compiling a sample program for ARM. We can do this by creating a simple "hello world" program in C and compiling it using cross-compiler. program can be written as follows −

#include <stdio.h>
int main() { printf("Hello, world!
"); return 0; }

We can then compile program for ARM by running following command −

arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc -o hello hello.c

This will generate an ARM executable that we can run on an ARM device.

Cross-compiling native GCC for ARM using a cross-compiler is an essential step when developing applications for embedded systems. This process allows developers to create optimized and efficient code for ARM devices, which are commonly used in IoT devices, smartphones, tablets, and other low-cost and low-power devices.

The process of cross-compiling native GCC for ARM can be broken down into three main steps − installing cross-compiler, configuring cross-compiler, and compiling native GCC for ARM. Each of these steps is critical to successfully generate ARM executables that can be run on an ARM device.

When installing cross-compiler, it is essential to choose a reliable and widely used toolchain, such as Linaro, Yocto, or Buildroot. cross-compiler should be downloaded and installed in a directory that can be easily accessed, and PATH variable should be updated to include directory where cross-compiler is installed.

Configuring cross-compiler involves setting environment variables, such as CC variable, to point to name of cross-compiler. This step ensures that cross-compiler is used to compile code for ARM.

The final step of process is compiling native GCC for ARM. This is done by downloading GCC source code, configuring it for cross-compilation, and compiling it using make command. Once native GCC is compiled, it can be used to compile C and C++ code for ARM.

Conclusion

Cross-compiling native GCC for ARM is a necessary step when targeting embedded systems. By using a cross-compiler, we can generate optimized code for ARM architecture that can be executed on an ARM device. In this article, we discussed steps involved in cross-compiling native GCC for ARM using Linaro cross-compiler. By following these steps, developers can easily generate ARM executables that can be used in a variety of embedded systems.