Tutorial

- Win32 Cross Compiling Tutorial - by Hans Bezemer -

Step 1: Download and Unpack

+ +

+ First, download the + latest release + and unpack the tarball: +

wget http://www.profv.de/mingw_cross_env/mingw_cross_env-2.5.tar.gz
+tar -xzvf mingw_cross_env-2.5.tar.gz

+ +

+ If you don't mind installing it in your home directory, + just skip the following step and go straight to step 3. +

+ +

Step 2: System-wide Installation (optional)

+ +

+ Now you should save any previous installation + of the MinGW cross compiling environment. + Assuming you've installed it under + /opt/mingw (any other directory will do as well), + you should execute the following commands: +

su
+mv /opt/mingw /opt/mingw.old
+exit

+ +

+ Then you need to transfer the entire directory to its definitive location. + We will assume again you use /opt/mingw, + but feel free to use any other directory if you like. +

su
+mv mingw_cross_env-2.5 /opt/mingw
+exit

+ +

+ We're almost done. + Just change to your newly created directory and get going: +

cd /opt/mingw

+ +

Step 3: Build mingw_cross_env

+ +

+ Enter the directory where you've unpacked the + MinGW cross compiling environment. + Now it depends on what you actually want - or need. +

+ +

+ If you choose to enter: +

make

+ you're in for a long wait, + because the MinGW cross compiling environment + compiles a lot of stuff. + On the other hand it doesn't require any intervention, + so you're free to do whatever you like + - like watch a movie or go for a night on the town. + When it's done you'll find that you've installed + a very capable Win32 cross compiler onto your system. +

+ +

+ If you only need the most basic tools you can also use: +

make gcc

+ and add any additional packages you need later on. + You can also supply a host of packages on the + command line, + e.g.: +

make gtk lua libidn

+ You'll always end up with a consistent cross compiler environment. +

+ +

+ After you're done it just needs a little post-installation. + Edit your .bashrc script in order to change $PATH: +

export PATH=/where MinGW cross compiler is installed/usr/bin:$PATH

+ +

+ BTW, note that any compiler related environment variables + (like $CC, $LDFLAGS, etc.) + may spoil your compiling pleasure, + so be sure to delete or disable those. +

+ +

Step 4: Build your Project

+ +

+ You probably will have to make a few adjustments to your Makefile: +

CC=$(CROSS)gcc
+LD=$(CROSS)ld
+AR=$(CROSS)ar

+ You may have to add a few others, depending on your project. + Then, all you have to do is type this: +

make CROSS="i386-mingw32msvc-"

+ +

+ If you're using configure, all you have to do is: +

./configure --host="i386-mingw32msvc"
+make

+ That's it! +

+ +

+ Don't let any warnings put you off. + A warning like this is absolutely harmless: +

configure: WARNING: If you wanted to set the --build type, don't use --host.
+If a cross compiler is detected then cross compile mode will be used.

+ Everything will be just fine. +