A toolchain is a collection of tools for compiling, linking and debugging your code. A GNU toolchain is a bundle containing pre-built binaries of GCC, LD and GDB (open-source compiler, linker and debugger).

What is an embedded toolchain?

A toolchain is the set of tools that compiles source code into executables that can run on your target device, and includes a compiler, a linker, and run-time libraries. Initially, you need one to build the other three elements of an embedded Linux system: the bootloader, the kernel, and the root filesystem.

What is meant by toolchain?

In software, a toolchain is a set of programming tools that is used to perform a complex software development task or to create a software product, which is typically another computer program or a set of related programs.

What is toolchain file in Cmake?

CMake uses a toolchain of utilities to compile, link libraries and create archives, and other tasks to drive the build. The toolchain utilities available are determined by the languages enabled. In cross-compiling scenarios, a toolchain file may be specified with information about compiler and utility paths.

How do I specify architecture in CMake?

Use 64 bit generator, e.g. Mac OS X. Use CMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES CMake variable. cmake -DCMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES=x86_64 /path/to/source/dir will compile 64 bit.

How do I get a toolchain for my project?

There are several ways to get a toolchain: Get a prebuilt toolchain, either from a vendor such as CodeSourcery, or probably inside the Board Support Package shipped with your hardware platform by the vendor. This is the easiest solution, as the toolchain is already built, and has supposedly been tested by the vendor.

Is a toolchain included with the board support package (BSP)?

Before searching for a prebuilt toolchain or building your own, it’s worth checking to see if one is included with your target hardware’s Board Support Package (BSP) if you have one. When talking about toolchains, one must distinguish three different machines:

What is a cross-compilation toolchain?

A cross-compilation toolchain, which is the most interesting toolchain type for embedded development, is typically compiled on x86, runs on x86 and generates code for the target architecture (be it ARM, MIPS, PowerPC or any other architecture supported by the different toolchain components)

Is Linaro a good alternative to CodeSourcery?

Linaro actually hires CodeSourcery people to improve ARM toolchains, so the ARM toolchains that you get with Linaro should be at least as good as the CodeSourcery ones. Native toolchains are available through the standard GCC toolchain in Ubuntu.