F.4.2 Compiling the compiler

Compiling the compiler can be done with one statement. It’s always best to remove all units from the compiler directory first, so something like

on linux, and on dos

After this, the compiler can be compiled with the following command line:

All the options must be given on a single line, the backslash is needed if you want to specify the options on multiple lines.

So, the minimum options are:

1. The target OS. Can be skipped when compiling for the same target as the compiler which is being used.
2. A path to an RTL. Can be skipped if a correct fpc.cfg configuration is on the system. If the compiler should be compiled with the RTL that was compiled first, this should be ../rtl/OS (replace the OS with the appropriate operating system subdirectory of the RTL).
3. A define with the processor for which the compiler is compiled for. Required.
4. -dGDB. Required.
5. -Sg is needed, some parts of the compiler use goto statements (to be specific: the scanner).
6. A directory with some units and include files for the processor you’re compiling for.
7. A directory with the system definitions.

So the absolute minimal command line is

Some other command line options can be used, but the above are the minimum. A list of recognised options can be found in table (F.1).

This list may be subject to change, the source file pp.pas always contains an up-to-date list.