What is the difference between a native compiler and a cross compiler?

Answer 1

A native compiler is one that compiles programs for the same architecture or operating system that it is running on. For instance, a compiler running on an x86 processor and creating x86 binaries. A cross-compiler is one that compiles binaries for architectures other than its own, such as compiling SPARC binaries on a PowerPC processor.
A cross compiler executes in one environment and generates code for another. A "native compiler" generates code for its own execution environment. For example, Microsoft Visual Studio includes a native compiler. It is used on the Windows platform to create applications that are run on the windows platform. A cross compiler could also execute on the Windows operating system, but possibly generate code aimed at a different platform. Many embedded devices, such as mobile phones or wasching machines, are programed in such way. Compilers generating cross-platform hyper code such as compilers for Java or any of the .NET languages fall somewhere in between these two basic compiler categories. Their nature depends on the exact use-case, and the angle under which you look at those when categorizing.

Answer 2

You have to use cross platform compiler when you want to run your programs also under other operating systems. For instance, if you have windows xp and you are using cross compiler you will able to run your program also under Linux operating systems (depends on which options your cross compiler supports).

Answer 3

The computer doesn't directly understand the source code; it understands machine code. The compiler's role is to translate the source code (readable by humans) into machine code (readable by the CPU).

The computer doesn't directly understand the source code; it understands machine code. The compiler's role is to translate the source code (readable by humans) into machine code (readable by the CPU).

The computer doesn't directly understand the source code; it understands machine code. The compiler's role is to translate the source code (readable by humans) into machine code (readable by the CPU).

The computer doesn't directly understand the source code; it understands machine code. The compiler's role is to translate the source code (readable by humans) into machine code (readable by the CPU).

Answer 4

A C compiler is a program that turns source code written in the C Programming language into machine code.

A cross-compiler is any compiler (C or another language) that compiles code in a format used on another operating system or processor.

Answer 5

The computer doesn't directly understand the source code; it understands machine code. The compiler's role is to translate the source code (readable by humans) into machine code (readable by the CPU).

Answer 6

A compiler which runs on the computer for which it is producing machine code in contrast to a cross compiler, which produces code for different computers.