Getting Nios GCC Source

Altera_Forum · ‎03-17-2005

I've been searching Altera's web site for some time now trying to find a link for the gcc source for the NiosII. The best thing I found on the site was a link pointing me to reference the "Find Answer" sections; however, when searching through this database no results were found.

I tried the following search terms... I thought at least one would return back a link to download the gcc source files.

Search Entries:

how do I get gcc source for nios

gcc

gnu

gcc gpl source

gcc source

My question is how/where do I get the latest gcc sources for the Nios II platform?

Thanks.

Altera_Forum · ‎03-17-2005

It's a checkbox option during installation of the full version. I'm not sure what the deal is with the eval. version, though. I'd bet that this is what you have question about, right?

- slacker

Altera_Forum · ‎03-17-2005

Thanks for the reply.

Actuallly, I did see the checkbox option during the install on my Windows machine; however, I was hoping to get a binary archive of the sources from their web site. I've heard through this forum that there has been some work done on getting the toolchain to run on Linux/Unix so I wanted to make sure I was working with the latest sources before trying to build a cross compiler for my Mac OS X machine.

Are the Altera changes submitted back to the "main" gcc tree? Is there a place on Altera's web site where I can download the latest gcc tools for Nios II?

Altera_Forum · ‎03-17-2005

The Nios II port isn't in the main GCC tree yet.

The 1.1 and later toolchains do build under Linux. It might be easier for you to get the Linux version of the kit as that provides a tested Linux port of the IDE and other command line tools as well.

But if you really want the pain of building the toolchain yourself then you should know that the source code is the same for Windows and Linux. The differences between the machines are detected when you configure.

Altera_Forum · ‎03-17-2005

Thank you for the information.

I currently don't have the 1.1 installed. Where can I obtain this source from. I agree with your recommendation and will start from the Linux build. I don't need all the IDE "stuff". I just want to be able to compile elf's with good ole fashion makefiles.

I've built several cross compilers from gcc sources before (arm, powerpc, x86) so once I get my hands on the source, I should be ready to to go! Well, I may have a question or two:-)

Again, thanks.

Altera_Forum · ‎03-17-2005

If you have the full version of the kit then please talk to your usual Altera contact about getting a free upgrade.

You can upgrade an evaluation kit from the altera download page (https://www.altera.com/support/software/download/nios2/dnl-nios2.jsp?f=ni2hp&k=g2). But I seem to remember that the eval kit doesn't include the sources. I'm trying to find out where the eval kit toolchain sources are made available.

Altera_Forum · ‎03-17-2005

Thank you again for your time.

I'll see about getting the latest version and getting the source from there, but (this is must my opinion) shouldn't the gcc sources for the Nios II be easier to obtain? I know one is required to make the source "freely" available under the GPL, and I'd think it's in Altera's best interest to get the toolchain out to as many developers as possible.

I'm fortunate enough to have an active license, but what's the situation for developers that don't have an Altera license? Are they not allowed to have the gcc sources? Just wondering...

Thanks.