Overhaul on the text to match the current installation process

git-svn-id: http://svn.linuxfromscratch.org/LFS/trunk/BOOK@2785 4aa44e1e-78dd-0310-a6d2-fbcd4c07a689
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Gerard Beekmans 2003-09-12 20:05:33 +00:00
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<title>How things are going to be done</title>
<?dbhtml filename="how.html" dir="chapter01"?>
<para>We are going to build the LFS system by using a previously installed
Linux distribution such as Debian, SuSE, Slackware, Mandrake, or Red Hat.
We will use this existing Linux system as a starting platform, because we
<para>You are going to build the LFS system by using a previously installed
Linux distribution such as Debian, Mandrake, Red Hat, etc.
The existing Linux system will be used as a starting point, because you
will need tools like a compiler, linker, text editor, and other development
tools to build our system. Ordinarily, the required tools are available by
default if we selected "development" as one of our installation options
when we installed a Linux distribution.</para>
tools to build the system. Ordinarily, the required tools are available by
default if you selected "development" as one of your installation options
when you installed your Linux distribution.</para>
<para>After you have downloaded the packages that make up an LFS system,
we will create a new Linux native partition and filesystem. Here is where
the LFS system will be compiled and installed.</para>
you will create a new Linux native partition and filesystem. Here is where
the LFS system will be compiled and installed onto.</para>
<para>The next step, Chapter 5, will discuss the installation of a number of
packages that will form the basic development suite which is used to
build the actual system, or needed to resolve circular dependencies. For
example, you need a compiler to build a new compiler, and you need a shell
in order to install a new shell. The packages in this chapter will be linked
statically.</para>
<para>The next step, Chapter 5, will discuss the installation of a number
of packages that will form the basic development suite which is used to
build the actual system. Some of these packages are needed to resolve
circular dependencies. For example, to compiler a compiler you need a
compiler.</para>
<para>Static linking describes a method of compiling software so that
it does not require the presence of libraries when building is complete.
The resulting program is able to function on its own. The program is able to
do so because the pieces of the program that would normally remain in the
libraries are copied from the libraries and built right into the program.
Ordinarily, software is built with dynamic linking. This conserves storage
space and increases the efficiency of many programs. We statically link
our software in Chapter 5 because we will, in theory, be moving our
development system to a virtual environment where the already mentioned
libraries will be absent. If the software is built dynamically, our
development suite will not function. Since the libraries we are talking
about are provided by our distribution Linux, the goal of Chapter 5 is to
build a development environment where those libraries are not required
and is therefore independent of the distribution.</para>
<para>The first thing that will be done in Chapter 5 is building the
toolchain, which is made up of Binutils, GCC and Glibc. The programs from
these packages will be linked statically in order for them to be
independant of the host system.</para>
<para>In Chapter 6 we will build and install our final system. We will use
the chroot program to enter a virtual environment and start a new shell
whose root directory will be set to the partition where we built all the
Chapter 5 software. This is very similar to rebooting and instructing the
kernel to mount our LFS partition as the root partition. The reason that
we don't actually reboot, but instead chroot, is that creating a bootable
static system requires additional work which simply isn't necessary. As
well, we can continue to use our platform system while we are building LFS.
While software is being compiled and installed you can simply switch to a
different VC (Virtual Console) or X desktop and continue using your
computer normally.</para>
<para>When the first toolchain is built, you will rebuild those three
packages again, this time using the toolchain we just built, rather than
the host system's toolchain. In particular, all programs will be linked
against the new Glibc rather than the host system's Glibc. All subsequent
packages in Chapter 5 will be build and linked using this second toolchain
installation. When this is done (building the second toolchain), the LFS
installation process will no longer depend on the host distribution, with
the exception of the running kernel.</para>
<para>When all the software from Chapter 6 is installed, Chapters 7, 8 and 9
will help us finalize our installation. We will set up our boot
scripts in Chapter 7. In Chapter 8 we will build our final Linux kernel and
set up the Linux boot loader. Chapter 9 has some pointers to help you after
you finish the book. Then finally, you reboot your system and boot into your
new LFS system, and start to really use it.</para>
<para>In Chapter 6 the real LFS system will be built. The
chroot (change root) program is used to enter a virtual environment and
start a new shell whose root directory will be set to the LFS partition.
This is very similar to rebooting and instructing the kernel to mount the
LFS partition as the root partition. The reason that you don't actually
reboot, but instead chroot, is that creating a bootable system requires
additional work which isn't necessary. As well, chrooting allows you
to continue using the host while LFS is being built. While software is
being installed you can simply switch to a different VC (Virtual Console)
or X desktop and continue using the computer as you normally would.</para>
<para>When all the software from Chapter 6 is installed, the temporary
tools built in Chapter 5 will be removed. Chapters 7, 8 and 9 will finalize
the installation. The bootscripts are setup in Chapter 7, the kernel and
boot loader are setup in Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 has some pointers to help
you after you finish with the book. Then, finally, you reboot the system
into the new LFS system.</para>
<para>This is the process in a nutshell. Detailed information on the steps
we will take are discussed in the chapters and package descriptions as you
progress through them. If something isn't completely clear now, don't worry.
It should become very clear shortly.</para>
you will take are discussed in the chapters and package descriptions as you
progress through them. If something isn't completely clear now, don't
worry, everything will fall into place soon.</para>
<para>Please read Chapter 2 carefully as it explains a few important things
you should be aware of before you begin to work through Chapters 5 and
later.</para>
beyond.</para>
</sect1>