[uClibc] toolchain & buildroot script understanding...

tom at ceisystems.com tom at ceisystems.com
Sat Jul 10 14:26:48 UTC 2004


Glenn,

>     The toolchain scripts make a set of tools that are 
> intended to be installed right along side of the standard 
> libraries and bins ( ie installs tools to /usr/bin and libs 
> to /usr/lib etc. ) Such that one could cross compile without 
> having a non-standard directory tree like so many other cross 
> compiler make?

Yes, this is correct. Instead of calling i386-linux-gcc (or whatever),
you'd call $arch-uclibc-gcc (or whatever). This makes it pretty simple
to compile things and is, in fact, the standard method of
cross-compiling...sortof.

>     The buildroot script build a root fs image that can be 
> chroot'd and then used to cross compile for a target other 
> than the hosts? ( ie my host is i386 my target is arm... the 
> rootfs can be used on the i386 to make apps for the target ARM ).

Well, yes but no. Buildroot builds a root filesystem, yes. That
filesystem may be chroot'ed into, if it has been built for the arch
you're currently running (ie: built on an x86, chroot'ed on an x86).
Really, the reason for building this environment is/are: A) to simplify
the building of broken and stubborn packages (ie: perl, etc.). B) to
simplify the creation of a target filesystem.

When I first started using buildroot, way back when it was used
primarily on TuxScreen, I actually built my entire target filesystem
image in this manner. I then had syslinux mount the image as an initrd,
and off I went.

>     Lastly... it appears to me ( although I am no expert ) 
> that buildroot is a more robust setup since you do not have 
> to worry about "host" development botching your "target" libs 
> because the two root fss' are kept serperate.

This is true, but as always DO NOT build buildroot or any cross-compiler
as root. You're asking for trouble if you do...trust me.

> Please feel free to either correct or simply chide my feeble 
> understanding.

We all started out as complete n00b's at some point, and most people on
the uClibc and BusyBox lists are understanding of that...as long as
you've done some research before asking (too-frequently asked)
questions.

Good Luck,
Thomas Cameron



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