Re: [linuxsh-dev] new toolchain / native GDB

[Greg B. <gb...@po...>]

Bryan Rittmeyer wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> After a couple of months of using the older toolchain (from around 8/00)
> I have run into some problems that I suspect may have been addressed by
> the efforts since then. But after falling partially out of the loop I've
> lost track of toolchain/kernel development progress and have the
> following questions:
> 
> 1. Where can I get the latest versions of gcc, binutils, glibc, etc? Is
> the LinuxSH CVS repository up to date, or are they only availible as tar
> archives on an ftp/web server?

  The situation is a bit messy at the moment.  The LinuxSH guys who handle
the toolchain are in the process of merging back toolchain sources with the
GNU team, which leaves us with something of a fluid situation.

  The LinuxSH CVS repository modules "gcc-core" and "binutils" are *not* the
latest versions.  They do, however, form a complete older version of the
toolchain which you can use to compile the kernel with only a small kernel
patch.

  I just uploaded to sourceforge Patch Manager this patch which lets
you build the sourceforge CVS kernel with the sourceforge CVS toolchain.
It worked for me when I merged in 2.4.0-test12 a few days ago.  Good luck.

http://sourceforge.net/patch/?func=detailpatch&patch_id=103106&group_id=2682

  Right now getting the latest toolchain to work is not easy.  My
colleague Denis Dowling has just demonstrated this ;-)


> 2. Does this toolchain properly build the latest CVS kernel? Are the CVS
> kernel sources still the latest?

  Sourceforge CVS kernel sources are always the latest.

  Sourceforge CVS toolchain is old and will wither and die, to be replaced
with the standard GNU toolchain distro, "soon".  Exactly when is not
clear to me, but don't hold your breath.

> 2. Are there build directions for these newer versions, similar to what
> exists for the old toolchain on the LinuxSH website? If not, is anyone
> able to supply working build instructions?

  Right now, no single concise and clear set of such instructions exist.
In the last few days Denis has gathered (the hard way) enough information
to write such a set of instructions, so perhaps it might soon exist.
However, for the next couple of weeks we have some urgent priorities, so
don't get your hopes up.


> 3. What is the status of the SH merge into the main, upstream
> gcc/glibc/binutils/kernel sources?

  Niibe-san is actively pursuing these, perhaps I should let him
answer this...however I do know from Linus' change logs that kernel
2.4.0-test13-pre5 (IIRC) contained a large SuperH update.

> 4. Does native GDB work correctly now? If not, what problems remain,
> and, if anyone is working on them, how can I assist?

  Not sure.  Haven't tested it recently.

> I would greatly appreciate it if someone could bring me up to date, so
> that I can track current development (as it happens) and offer my humble
> assistance/patches.... I look forward to working with all of you once
> again.

  No problem.  I really should update the FAQ, it's very seriously outdated :-(

Greg.
-- 
These are my opinions not PPIs.