linux kernel compliation : Is it possible to compile it by othercompiler?

[Mark Haney]

Karl F. Larsen wrote:
>
> 
> 	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.

I don't know where you were then, but binary kernels have been around
since the very early days.  Granted if you wanted to add modules for
devices you had but weren't included in the kernel that was something
else entirely.    I don't ever recall any 'name brand' linux distros
that came without a binary kernel (gentoo doesn't really count) and that
you had to 'get 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.


Ubuntu was the first place you got a binary kernel?  What distro did you
 use prior to that that didn't come with a binary one?  I've been
tooling with Linux (and hell, MINIX) since the really early days and
remember seeing early RH and Slackware versions with binary kernels.

As for compiling the kernel with something OTHER than GCC, yeah, I've
done it.  Intel's C compiler will build it.  IIRC, virtually /any/
commercial C++ compiler would build it.  It might not be the case now,
but I'd not bet on it.





-- 
Non curo. Si metrum non habet, non est poema.

Mark Haney
Sr. Systems Administrator
ERC Broadband
(828) 350-2415