Compiling C and C++ code for Arm

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Compiling C and C++ code for Arm Document ID: 102445_0100_02_en
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Compiling C and C++ code for Arm

Copyright © 2019 Arm Limited (or its affiliates). All rights reserved.

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0100-02 4 March 2019 Non-Confidential Initial release

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Compiling C and C++ code for Arm Document ID: 102445_0100_02_en
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Contents

Contents

1. Overview........................................................................................................................................................... 6

2. Hello World with Arm Compiler 6............................................................................................................. 7

3. Hello World with Arm Compiler for Linux............................................................................................... 8

4. Hello World with GCC...................................................................................................................................9

5. Learn more about the Arm Compiler toolchain....................................................................................10

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Overview

1. Overview
When writing a C or C++ application, you’ll need to compile it to machine code using a compiler
toolchain. You can then run this compiled executable code on an Arm-based processor, or simulate
it with a model.

Bare metal compilation

The compiler toolchain includes the following components:
• A compiler to translate C and C++ source code into machine code.
• An assembler to translate assembly language source code into machine code.
• A linker to combine multiple machine code modules into a single executable file.

Available toolchains include:

• Arm Compiler 6. The latest and most efficient Arm C/C++ compilation toolchain, based on
the armclang compiler. Arm Compiler 6 maximizes the potential of Arm Cortex and Neoverse
processors and architectures, from Armv6-M to Armv8-A 64-bit Arm: Evaluate as part of Arm
Development Studio
• Arm Compiler 5. The previous generation Arm C/C++ compilation toolchain, based on the
armcc compiler. Arm Compiler 5 provides stability and superb code size for legacy projects up
to and including Armv7.
• The GNU toolchain. An open source, community-developed toolchain. The GNU toolchain
provides a low-cost mechanism for developing on Arm platforms.

All these toolchains can be used standalone, from the command line, or integrated into Arm
Development Studio or Keil MDK IDE environments.

Linux compilation
The common programming languages are well-supported on Arm - with most open-source tools
available in packages provided by your Linux distribution. Commercial compilers for C++, C and
Fortran are available from Arm in the Arm Allinea Studio.

The Arm commercial and GNU open-source compilers are tuned extensively for Arm servers and
partner silicon, and are evolving rapidly. The highest performance is achieved using the most recent
versions of these tools - which are not normally the default for Linux distributions. Read about
some of this work in GNU GCC 8 and glibc 2.27.

Find more information on getting started with Linux compilation here.

Find more information about compilers and languages here.

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Hello World with Arm Compiler 6

2. Hello World with Arm Compiler 6

Are you looking for examples that you can follow to get you started with Arm Compiler 6?

• Bare-metal Hello World C using the Armv8 model is a tutorial that shows you how to build
Hello World with Arm Compiler 6 and debug it on the Armv8 Fixed Virtual Platform (FVP). This
tutorial uses Arm Compiler 6 within the Arm Development Studio environment.
• Compiling a Hello World example in the Arm Compiler User Guide shows you how to build
and inspect an executable image from C/C++ source files. This tutorial uses standalone Arm
Compiler 6 from the command line.

Evaluate as part of Arm Development Studio

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Hello World with Arm Compiler for Linux

3. Hello World with Arm Compiler for Linux

Are you looking for examples that you can follow to get you started with compiling C/C++ code
with Arm Compiler for Linux?

• The Get Started topic in the Arm C/C++ Compiler Developer and Reference Guide describes
how to compile and run a “Hello World” program.
• Using the compiler provides some useful information about how to use the compiler and how
to better optimize your code using the supported compiler options.

Arm C/C++ Compiler is available alongside Arm Fortran Compiler and Arm
Performance Libraries, in a single product called Arm Compiler for Linux.

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Hello World with GCC

4. Hello World with GCC

Looking for examples you can follow to get you started with GCC?

• Getting Started with Arm DS-5 CE and Armv8-A Foundation Platform uses the open-source
GCC compiler within the Arm Development Studio environment. This tutorial guides you
through the process of creating a simple bare-metal “Hello World” application and finally
running it on the Armv8-A Foundation Platform provided with DS-5 Community Edition.
• The following video tutorials provide another example of creating a “Hello World” application
with GCC. Explore Armv8 Model using DS-5 Development Tool
◦ Video 1: Introduction to Armv8 Architecture and DS-5
◦ Video 2: Install and Setup DS-5
◦ Video 3: Create a Project for Armv8 Model
◦ Video 4: Run an Application on Armv8 Model

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Learn more about the Arm Compiler toolchain

5. Learn more about the Arm Compiler

toolchain
The different tools in the compiler toolchain all work together to transform your source code
into an executable binary that can run on an Arm-based processor. Understanding the different
functions of these tools will help you to build your application successfully.

The following resources provide more information about Arm Compiler, for embedded software
development:
• Introduction to Arm Compiler 6 provides an overview of the entire toolchain.
• The Arm Compiler User Guide provides introductory information and examples.
• Learn more about getting started with Linux compilation from the Arm Compiler Reference
Guide.
• More detailed information about the individual tools in the Arm Compiler toolchain is provided
by the full Arm Compiler documentation set.
• Embedded Systems Fundamentals with Arm Cortex-M based Microcontrollers: A Practical
Approach by Dr Alexander G. Dean includes information about the tools used to develop
embedded software, including the compiler toolchain.
• Some Arm training courses include software development with Arm Compiler.

The following resources provide more information about Arm Compiler for Linux, for Server and
HPC software development:
• Arm Compiler for Linux provides product information, details the available documentation, and
describes how to license or get support for the product.
• Release history describes the highlights of each release of the product, including copies of their
Release Notes.
• The Arm C/C++ Compiler Developer and Reference Guide describes how to use the Arm C/C+
+ Compiler component of Arm Compiler for Linux.

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