Lpc2000

Leon, 

> > hey friends,
> >  I want to know a fact...
> >  what is the difference between a compiler and a cross-compiler
> >  please help me find out...
> 
> A cross-compiler generates code for a different CPU than the 
> the one that it 
> is running on. Most compilers for embedded systems are 
> cross-compilers.

Actually, not quite true.

There are native compilers (aka hosted compilers in ISO C speak) which
generate code for direct execution on the processor and operating system
on which the compiler is hosted.  For example, MS VC generating Win32
apps is a native compiler, as is the Ultra compiler on OS-9 which
generates code for 68K/386/PPC-based OS-9 systems, as is the classic cc
compiler shipped with many older Unicies.

A cross compiler generates code that cannot be directly executed on the
host because either (a) it targets a different processor or (b) it
targets a different OS.  An example of this type of compiler is your
regular embedded C compiler provided by IAR, RAL, GHS, and so on.  But
there are (many) non-commercial never-to-be-seen cross compilers that
are used internally (for instance, I always used to build our Modula-2
products on a Sun-3, but they targeted transputers, ARMs, 386s and 68Ks
on various operating systems, I never built them native).

There are also things that are difficult to categorize, such as Apple's
recent introduction of Universal Binaries, for instance.

--
Paul Curtis, Rowley Associates Ltd   http://www.rowley.co.uk 
CrossWorks for MSP430, ARM, AVR and now MAXQ processors