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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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16 years ago

uClinux question

Hello,

i just started to work with uClinux on an altera eval board.

I have a question regarding uClinux.

Does uClinux when running on a nios system have it's own compiler built-in?

Particularly what compiler do application on uclinux use?

I,m a just a beginner and would like to learn this.

Roman

3 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    uClinux running on board doesn't have GCC included in. Applications must be cross-compiled on a host Linux machine using Nios II binary tools (same used to compile kernel).

    These are the precompiled tools.

    http://www.niosftp.com/pub/gnutools/nios2gcc-20080203.tar.bz2 (http://www.niosftp.com/pub/gnutools/nios2gcc-20080203.tar.bz2)

    So, your application can be added to your system in two ways:

    * Adding application during kernel compilation.

    * Adding the compiled application to your uClinux file-sytem through a storage device (USB pendrive, SD card) or a Network filesystem.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    I suppose it is somehow possible to ccross-compile the gcc compiler to have it run on the NIOS itself, such as there is a Debian Linux distribution that runs on ARM and can d/l additional packets in source code and compile and install them.

    But I don't think anybody would bother to do that for a deeply embedded arch like NIOS, as it does not make much sense.

    -Michael
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    Hi,

    --- Quote Start ---

    I suppose it is somehow possible to ccross-compile the gcc compiler to have it run on the NIOS itself, such as there is a Debian Linux distribution that runs on ARM and can d/l additional packets in source code and compile and install them.

    t I don't think anybody would bother to do that for a deeply embedded arch like NIOS, as it does not make much sense.

    --- Quote End ---

    For embedded systems, to have their own self-compiler means the War of Independence for PC Imperial.:D But to get the true independence, we must obtain a Thoroughbred gcc. This means to rebuild the 'nios2gcc' on Nios system....:p

    Kazu