source: clfs-sysroot/BOOK/introduction/common/how.xml@ f18649d

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<sect1 id="ch-intro-how">
  <?dbhtml filename="how.html"?>

  <title>How to Build a CLFS System</title>

  <para>The CLFS system will be built by using a previously installed
  Linux distribution (such as Debian, Mandrake, Red Hat, or SuSE). This
  existing Linux system (the host) will be used as a starting point to
  provide necessary programs, including a compiler, linker, and shell,
  to build the new system. Select the <quote>development</quote> option
  during the distribution installation to be able to access these
  tools.</para>

  <para>As an alternative to installing an entire separate distribution
  onto your machine, you may wish to
  use the Linux From Scratch LiveCD. The CD works well as a host system,
  providing all the tools you need to successfully follow the instructions
  in this book. Additionally, it contains all the source packages, patches
  and a copy of this book. So once you have the CD, no network connection
  or additional downloads are necessary. For more information about the
  LFS LiveCD or to download a copy, visit <ulink url="&livecd-root;"/></para>

  <para><xref linkend="chapter-partitioning"/> of this book describes how
  to create a new Linux native partition and file system, the place
  where the new CLFS system will be compiled and installed. <xref
  linkend="chapter-getting-materials"/> explains which packages and
  patches need to be downloaded to build a CLFS system and how to store
  them on the new file system. <xref linkend="chapter-final-preps"/>
  discusses the setup for an appropriate working environment. Please read
  <xref linkend="chapter-final-preps"/> carefully as it explains several
  important issues the developer should be aware of before beginning to
  work through <xref linkend="chapter-cross-tools"/> and beyond.</para>

  <para><xref linkend="chapter-cross-tools"/> explains the installation of
  cross-compile tools which will be built on the host but be able to compile
  programs that run on the target machine. These cross-compile tools will
  be used to create the final-system.</para>

  <para>The process of building cross-compile tools first involves installing
  binutils into ${CLFS}/cross-tools, so that we have an asembler and a linker
  for our target architecture. GCC is then compiled statically and installed
  into ${CLFS}/cross-tools, this cross-compiler is used to build glibc for the
  final-system. The GCC cross-compiler is then rebuilt dynamically - this final
  cross-compiler is what will be used to build the final-system.</para>

  <para>In <xref linkend="chapter-building-system"/>, the full CLFS system is
  cross-compiled. The system is built using a sysroot. Sysroot is a parameter
  passed to binutils and gcc that modifies its default search paths.</para>

  <para>To finish the installation, the CLFS-Bootscripts are set up in <xref
  linkend="chapter-bootscripts"/>, and the kernel and boot loader are set
  up in <xref linkend="chapter-bootable"/>. <xref
  linkend="chapter-finalizing"/> contains information on furthering the
  CLFS experience beyond this book.  After the steps in this book have
  been implemented, the computer will be ready to reboot into the new
  CLFS system.</para>
  <!-- -->

  <para>This is the process in a nutshell. Detailed information on each
  step is discussed in the following chapters and package descriptions.
  Items that may seem complicated will be clarified, and everything will
  fall into place as the reader embarks on the CLFS adventure.</para>

</sect1>