linux kernel compliation : Is it possible to compile it by other compiler?

[Karl F. Larsen]

Steven Susbauer wrote:
> On Sep 21, 2009, at 4:39 AM, Loïc Grenié wrote:
> 
>> 2009/9/21 freeburn <hossain at finder-lbs.com>:
>>> have you ever compiled linux kernel by compilers other than gcc?
>>>
>>> i had a argument with one my friend about "linux" vs "gnu/linux",  
>> then
>>> this stuff suddenly came to our mind. i've always compiled linux  
>> kernel
>>> by gcc. i know in theory any c complier with necessary "lib"s should
>>> compile linux kernel. but is it practically possible? or have u ever
>>> done it?
> 
> GNU/Linux is in reference to the GNU Operating System and the fact  
> that Linux distributions are essentially GNU with a kernel other than  
> the one they were building for the GNU OS (Hurd). It is not about the  
> compiler used to build it, although gcc is the standard compiler of  
> GNU, it makes sense that the snap-in kernel would be built with it.
> 
> There are some who have at least attempted to compile the kernel with  
> llvm, but with the llvm-gcc frontend to start out with. I do not know  
> how successful they have been.

	In the early days of Linux we got the kernel as a tarball. You would 
make and then make install and you were set up. The compiler was the 
current gcc. In those days there were several named brands of Linux and 
you got the kernel from another source.

	It was sure confusing and difficult for previous DOS users. But it was 
exciting too.

	The early X-window from MIT was lots better than windows of the same 
period.

	Ubuntu was the first place I ran into a binary kernel package. Now I 
get a new kernel as a small upgrade.

karl




-- 

	Karl F. Larsen, AKA K5DI
	Linux User
	#450462   http://counter.li.org.
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