Re: Need a C compiler for a new processor.

Tim Josling <tej@melbpc.org.au> writes:
> [...]
> Your compiler will have to be released under the GPL (ie free
> software) due to the GCC licencing conditions.


A slight GPL precision, you have to release your port sources of you
give binaries to someone outside your company. If only you use (or
your company, or whatever doesn't constitute a release of binaries in
the GPL sense) the modified GCC, you don't have to release your
sources at all.


I heard from a GCC maintainer that a lot of unreleased GCC ports exist
for "internal use only" chips (and I have a friend that use such a
port at work), and that's perfectly fine with the GPL AFAIK.


Of course, if your chip will reach the mass market at some point, a
publically available GCC port could be a good marketing thing unless
your business model is to sell compilers competing against GCC ;-).


Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, if you have any doubt check your lawyer
and eventually ask RMS or the GCC steering comitee about it.


PS: Follow-up set to gnu.misc.discuss.


--LG

Return to the comp.compilers page.
Search the comp.compilers archives again.