Configuring the Software Environment - Linux

Linux is the simplest environment to get ready. Very little configuration is required; it’s more a matter of getting the correct software on the system. Most systems require a few packages to be installed for development tools that aren’t normally found on a desktop distribution, such as Automake, Autoconf, and, of course, GCC.

Development on Linux doesn’t require superuser privileges. A root account on the system isn’t necessary; however, if possible, configuring the system to get root access via sudo is a good idea, because in some cases commands must be executed as root. These include creating device nodes for root file systems, installing software, and performing other system-administration tasks. Having root access is less necessary than in years past because the software around building embedded Linux has matured.


Tools Typically Used in Embedded Development
Automake.
A tool for creating make files that can be run on a variety of systems.

Autoconf.
A tool for building the configure scripts that scan the system to figure out the system’s state.

M4.
A macro processing tool much like the pre-processor in C.

GCC.
The GNU Compiler Collection. Many installations don’t include GCC because of its size. When you install GCC, the system also installs some of the tools that GCC uses, such as the assembler (as) and linker (ld). If you type gcc on the command line, the C compiler provided by the GNU Compiler Collection will be invoked.

G++.
The GNU C++ compiler command. Whenever you type g++ on the command line, the GNU C++ compiler will be invoked. This is required when you’re using tools that use C++. Like GCC, G++ requires a lot of disk space; consequently, it doesn’t make the cut for many CD-ROM based installations.

GDB.
The GNU Debugger.

dhcp3-server.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol—the software that’s used to automatically assign IP addresses on a network.

nfs-user-server.
Network File System—a tool from Sun that allows a remote computer to access storage on a remote computer.

tftpd.
Trivial File Transfer Protocol—A simple protocol for transferring files over an IP network. This protocol is easy to implement and makes few demands on the boot loader.

minicom.
An old school, text-based terminal emulation program. When you’re talking to a board over a serial cable, minicom is the perfect tool.

Source of Information : Pro Linux Embedded Systems