The main difference between compiler and cross compiler is that the compiler is a software that transforms a computer program written in high-level programming language into machine language while the cross compiler is a type of a compiler that can create an executable code for a platform other than the one on which the compiler is running.
Programmers write programs for the computer in high-level languages. The computer does not understand these programs. A compiler is a translator that is capable of transforming source code into a machine code. There are various types of compilers. The native code compilers convert the source code only for the same type of platform. Incremental compiler compiles the changed lines from the source code and updates the object code. Cross compiler is also a type of compiler. It is capable of creating executable code for various platforms.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Compiler
– Definition, Functionality
2. What is Cross Compiler
– Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between Compiler and Cross Compiler
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Compiler, Cross Compiler, Programming, Retargeting, Retargetable Compiler
What is a Compiler
A computer program consists of a set of instructions for the computer to perform a specific task. Most computer programs are written using high-level programming languages. Thus, the computer does not understand these programs. Therefore, they are converted to machine understandable, machine language. A compiler is a software that performs this conversion. It converts the source program into machine code.
Figure 1: Compiler
A compiler translates the whole program into machine code at a time. The compilation occurs before the execution. It displays all error messages in the program at once. It is impossible to execute the program without fixing these errors. After the compilation, these programs generate an intermediate object code. Therefore, these languages require more memory. Language such as C and C++ use compilers. Usually, compiler-based languages are fast in execution and difficult to debug.
What is a Cross Compiler
A cross compiler is a type of compiler. This type of compilers can create an executable code for a platform other than the one on which the compiler is running. For example, a compiler that runs on Windows platform also generates a code that runs on Linux platform is a cross compiler. The process of creating executable code for a different machine is also called retargeting. Therefore, the cross compiler is also known as a retargetable compiler. GNU GCC is an example for cross compiler.
Difference Between Compiler and Cross Compiler
Definition
A compiler is a software that translates the computer code written in high-level programming language to machine language. A cross compiler is a software that can create executable code for platforms other than the one on which the compiler is running.
Usage
A compiler helps to convert the high-level source code into machine understandable machine code. A cross compiler is a type of compiler that can create executable code for different machines other than the machine it runs on.
Conclusion
The main difference between compiler and cross compiler is that the compiler is software that transforms the computer program written in a high level programming language into the machine language while cross compiler is a type of a compiler that is capable of creating executable code for various platforms.
Reference:
1.“Cross Compiler.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 June 2018, Available here.
2. Cross Compiler, Itechnica, 7 Feb. 2018, Available here.
3. “Compiler and Their Types.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 22 Sept. 2015, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Compiler” By I, Surachit (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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