Tools question

This is probably way too big a question to ask here, but I'm hoping someone can help me. I have inherited a gcc 2.95.3 cross development tool chain, which has been working fine to build for my powerpc-linux target machine. I'm building the kernel and user programs fine. I'm beginning to find as I add things in that I'm missing libraries. Today its libresolv which I need for pump. Some questions:

1. Do I really need to go back and build my own tool chain? I've tried grabbing 2.95.3 sources and building by running configure with --target=powerpc-linux, but I get some missing include file errors building libgcc2.a. I'm on a 405GP (no fp). Should I even bother doing this?

2. On my intel development machine I see that libresolv.a comes from glibc-devel-2.2.5-34. I have gcc-2.96-110 for my compiler. Should I go find a version of glibc-devel that matches up with my existing 2.95.3 tools? How will I know if its the right version?

3. Better yet, is there somewhere I can just obtain a reasonable tool chain that's ready-built for my target machine? Complete with libraries?

Sorry for the newbie type questions. I have the "Using and Porting GNU CC" book, but am finding it a little too Stallman-esque to follow. Anyone?

Thanks!

Chris Johnson

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Dear Chris,

Yes, you do - at least if you want to make sure you completely understand the technology and that you will in all situations be able to build your tools from scratch.

If you stick with your existing toolchain you must find a version of glibc-devel that matches your glibc. The compiler version is not so much interesting here.

Did you ever have a look at our ELDK? It's free for download, and a lot of projects seem to be using it (and of course we use it ourself for a couple of projects, too).

Please see http://www.denx.de/twiki/bin/view/DULG/ELDK for details.

Karim Yaghmour: "Building Embedded Linux Systems" [Paperback: 400 pages, O'Reilly & Associates; (May 2003); ISBN 059600222X] is definitely worth reading.

Best regards,

Wolfgang Denk

--
Software Engineering: Embedded and Realtime Systems, Embedded Linux
Phone: (+49)-8142-4596-87 Fax: (+49)-8142-4596-88 Email: [email protected]
"This isn't brain surgery; it's just television." - David Letterman

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Only if you run into trouble with your old compiler. If and when you decide to rebuild the compiler, see
http://kegel.com/crosstool for a recipe you can follow.

Again, http://kegel.com/crosstool (if you study it, and compare it with Karim's book) will help show you how to build the glibc of your choice.

That same URL can show how to build a reasonable toolchain for the ppc405 without any thought on your part, if you choose to not read and understand the script. It's always better to read and understand, though.

Your question is quite reasonable.

BTW, which glibc does your toolchain use?
- Dan

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