Differences between version 4 and predecessor to the previous major change of BootStrap.
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| Newer page: | version 4 | Last edited on Saturday, August 16, 2003 5:21:57 pm | by CraigBox | Revert |
| Older page: | version 2 | Last edited on Saturday, August 16, 2003 5:05:53 pm | by CraigBox | Revert |
@@ -2,4 +2,6 @@
The function of the program is to set up the input and output (I/O) devices and load the OPERATING SYSTEM from a disk, cassette, or built-in [ROM].
Because the computer gets itself up and going from an inert state, it could be said to lift itself up "by its own bootstraps" -- this is where the term [Boot] originates.
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+Other computer systems are also said to have a bootstrap. For example when writing a compiler written in the language that the compiler compiles (think about it for a second), it is necessary to have either a CrossCompiler or a BootStrap -- a program written in a different language (assembler in the worst case sceneario) which can be used to compile a cut-down version of the compiler initially. Of course, once even a bare-bones version of the new compiler runs on the new platform it can be used to compile more sophisticated versions of the compiler. Given the choice, cross-compilation is usually preferred.
