blob: 29ef2d55035e95800a0adb66a91a65cb19679893 [file] [log] [blame]
<!DOCTYPE chapter PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML V4.2//EN"
"http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/xml/4.2/docbookx.dtd"
[<!ENTITY % poky SYSTEM "../poky.ent"> %poky; ] >
<chapter id='ref-manual-intro'>
<title>Introduction</title>
<section id='ref-welcome'>
<title>Welcome</title>
<para>
Welcome to the Yocto Project Reference Manual.
This manual provides reference information for the current release
of the Yocto Project.
This manual is best used after you have an understanding
of the basics of the Yocto Project.
The manual is neither meant to be read as a starting point to the
Yocto Project nor read from start to finish.
Use this manual to find concepts, variable definitions, class
descriptions, and so forth as needed during the course of using
the Yocto Project.
</para>
<para>
For introductory information on the Yocto Project, see the
<ulink url='&YOCTO_HOME_URL;'>Yocto Project Website</ulink> and the
"<link linkend='yp-intro'>Introducing the Yocto Project Development Environment</link>"
section.
</para>
<para>
If you want to use the Yocto Project to test run building an image
without having to understand concepts, work through the
<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_QS_URL;'>Yocto Project Quick Start</ulink>.
You can find "how-to" information in the
<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_DEV_URL;'>Yocto Project Development Tasks Manual</ulink>.
<note><title>Tip</title>
For more information about the Yocto Project Documentation set,
see the
"<link linkend='resources-links-and-related-documentation'>Links and Related Documentation</link>"
section.
</note>
</para>
</section>
<section id='yp-intro'>
<title>Introducing the Yocto Project Development Environment</title>
<para>
The Yocto Project is an open-source collaboration project whose
focus is for developers of embedded Linux systems.
Among other things, the Yocto Project uses an
<link linkend='build-system-term'>OpenEmbedded build system</link>.
The build system, which is based on the OpenEmbedded (OE) project and
uses the
<link linkend='bitbake-term'>BitBake</link> tool, constructs complete
Linux images for architectures based on ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, x86 and
x86-64.
<note>
Historically, the OpenEmbedded build system, which is the
combination of BitBake and OE components, formed a reference
build host that was known as
"<link linkend='poky'>Poky</link>" (<emphasis>Pah</emphasis>-kee).
The term "Poky", as used throughout the Yocto Project Documentation
set, can have different meanings.
</note>
The Yocto Project provides various ancillary tools for the embedded
developer and also features the Sato reference User Interface, which
is optimized for stylus-driven, low-resolution screens.
</para>
<mediaobject>
<imageobject>
<imagedata fileref="figures/YP-flow-diagram.png"
format="PNG" align='center' width="8in"/>
</imageobject>
</mediaobject>
<para>
Here are some highlights for the Yocto Project:
</para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>
Provides a recent Linux kernel along with a set of system
commands and libraries suitable for the embedded
environment.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Makes available system components such as X11, GTK+, Qt,
Clutter, and SDL (among others) so you can create a rich user
experience on devices that have display hardware.
For devices that do not have a display or where you wish to
use alternative UI frameworks, these components need not be
installed.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Creates a focused and stable core compatible with the
OpenEmbedded project with which you can easily and reliably
build and develop.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Fully supports a wide range of hardware and device emulation
through the Quick EMUlator (QEMU).
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Provides a layer mechanism that allows you to easily extend
the system, make customizations, and keep them organized.
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<para>
You can use the Yocto Project to generate images for many kinds
of devices.
As mentioned earlier, the Yocto Project supports creation of
reference images that you can boot within and emulate using QEMU.
The standard example machines target QEMU full-system
emulation for 32-bit and 64-bit variants of x86, ARM, MIPS, and
PowerPC architectures.
Beyond emulation, you can use the layer mechanism to extend
support to just about any platform that Linux can run on and that
a toolchain can target.
</para>
<para>
Another Yocto Project feature is the Sato reference User
Interface.
This optional UI that is based on GTK+ is intended for devices with
restricted screen sizes and is included as part of the
OpenEmbedded Core layer so that developers can test parts of the
software stack.
</para>
<para>
While the Yocto Project does not provide a strict testing framework,
it does provide or generate for you artifacts that let you perform
target-level and emulated testing and debugging.
Additionally, if you are an
<trademark class='trade'>Eclipse</trademark> IDE user, you can
install an Eclipse Yocto Plug-in to allow you to develop within that
familiar environment.
</para>
<para>
By default, using the Yocto Project to build an image creates a Poky
distribution.
However, you can create your own distribution by providing key
<link link='metadata'>Metadata</link>.
A good example is Angstrom, which has had a distribution
based on the Yocto Project since its inception.
Other examples include commercial distributions like
<ulink url='https://www.yoctoproject.org/organization/wind-river-systems'>Wind River Linux</ulink>,
<ulink url='https://www.yoctoproject.org/organization/mentor-graphics'>Mentor Embedded Linux</ulink>,
<ulink url='https://www.yoctoproject.org/organization/enea-ab'>ENEA Linux</ulink>
and <ulink url='https://www.yoctoproject.org/ecosystem/member-organizations'>others</ulink>.
See the "<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_DEV_URL;#creating-your-own-distribution'>Creating Your Own Distribution</ulink>"
section in the Yocto Project Development Tasks Manual for more
information.
</para>
</section>
<section id='intro-requirements'>
<title>System Requirements</title>
<para>
For general Yocto Project system requirements, see the
"<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_QS_URL;#yp-resources'>Setting Up to Use the Yocto Project</ulink>" section
in the Yocto Project Quick Start.
The remainder of this section provides details on system requirements
not covered in the Yocto Project Quick Start.
</para>
<section id='detailed-supported-distros'>
<title>Supported Linux Distributions</title>
<para>
Currently, the Yocto Project is supported on the following
distributions:
<note>
<para>
Yocto Project releases are tested against the stable Linux
distributions in the following list.
The Yocto Project should work on other distributions but
validation is not performed against them.
</para>
<para>
In particular, the Yocto Project does not support
and currently has no plans to support
rolling-releases or development distributions due to their
constantly changing nature.
We welcome patches and bug reports, but keep in mind that
our priority is on the supported platforms listed below.
</para>
<para>
If you encounter problems, please go to
<ulink url='&YOCTO_BUGZILLA_URL;'>Yocto Project Bugzilla</ulink>
and submit a bug.
We are interested in hearing about your experience.
</para>
</note>
<itemizedlist>
<!--
<listitem><para>Ubuntu 10.04</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Ubuntu 11.10</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Ubuntu 12.04 (LTS)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Ubuntu 13.10</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Ubuntu 14.04 (LTS)</para></listitem> -->
<listitem><para>Ubuntu 14.10</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Ubuntu 15.04</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Ubuntu 15.10</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Ubuntu 16.04 (LTS)</para></listitem>
<!-- <listitem><para>Fedora 16 (Verne)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Fedora 17 (Spherical)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Fedora release 19 (Schrödinger's Cat)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Fedora release 20 (Heisenbug)</para></listitem> -->
<listitem><para>Fedora release 22</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Fedora release 23</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Fedora release 24</para></listitem>
<!-- <listitem><para>CentOS release 5.6 (Final)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>CentOS release 5.7 (Final)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>CentOS release 5.8 (Final)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>CentOS release 6.3 (Final)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>CentOS release 6.x</para></listitem> -->
<listitem><para>CentOS release 7.x</para></listitem>
<!-- <listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 6.0 (Squeeze)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 7.x (Wheezy)</para></listitem> -->
<listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 8.x (Jessie)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 9.x (Stretch)</para></listitem>
<!-- <listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 7.1 (Wheezy)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 7.2 (Wheezy)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 7.3 (Wheezy)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 7.4 (Wheezy)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 7.5 (Wheezy)</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Debian GNU/Linux 7.6 (Wheezy)</para></listitem> -->
<!-- <listitem><para>openSUSE 11.4</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>openSUSE 12.1</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>openSUSE 12.2</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>openSUSE 12.3</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>openSUSE 13.1</para></listitem> -->
<listitem><para>openSUSE 13.2</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>openSUSE 42.1</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para>
<note>
While the Yocto Project Team attempts to ensure all Yocto Project
releases are one hundred percent compatible with each officially
supported Linux distribution, instances might exist where you
encounter a problem while using the Yocto Project on a specific
distribution.
</note>
</section>
<section id='required-packages-for-the-host-development-system'>
<title>Required Packages for the Host Development System</title>
<para>
The list of packages you need on the host development system can
be large when covering all build scenarios using the Yocto Project.
This section provides required packages according to
Linux distribution and function.
</para>
<section id='ubuntu-packages'>
<title>Ubuntu and Debian</title>
<para>
The following list shows the required packages by function
given a supported Ubuntu or Debian Linux distribution:
<note>
If your build system has the
<filename>oss4-dev</filename> package installed, you
might experience QEMU build failures due to the package
installing its own custom
<filename>/usr/include/linux/soundcard.h</filename> on
the Debian system.
If you run into this situation, either of the following
solutions exist:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo apt-get build-dep qemu
$ sudo apt-get remove oss4-dev
</literallayout>
</note>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Essentials:</emphasis>
Packages needed to build an image on a headless
system:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo apt-get install &UBUNTU_HOST_PACKAGES_ESSENTIAL;
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Graphical and Eclipse Plug-In Extras:</emphasis>
Packages recommended if the host system has graphics
support or if you are going to use the Eclipse
IDE:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo apt-get install libsdl1.2-dev xterm
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Documentation:</emphasis>
Packages needed if you are going to build out the
Yocto Project documentation manuals:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo apt-get install make xsltproc docbook-utils fop dblatex xmlto
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>OpenEmbedded Self-Test (<filename>oe-selftest</filename>):</emphasis>
Packages needed if you are going to run
<filename>oe-selftest</filename>:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo apt-get install python-git
</literallayout>
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para>
</section>
<section id='fedora-packages'>
<title>Fedora Packages</title>
<para>
The following list shows the required packages by function
given a supported Fedora Linux distribution:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Essentials:</emphasis>
Packages needed to build an image for a headless
system:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo dnf install &FEDORA_HOST_PACKAGES_ESSENTIAL;
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Graphical and Eclipse Plug-In Extras:</emphasis>
Packages recommended if the host system has graphics
support or if you are going to use the Eclipse
IDE:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo dnf install SDL-devel xterm
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Documentation:</emphasis>
Packages needed if you are going to build out the
Yocto Project documentation manuals:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo dnf install make docbook-style-dsssl docbook-style-xsl \
docbook-dtds docbook-utils fop libxslt dblatex xmlto
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>OpenEmbedded Self-Test (<filename>oe-selftest</filename>):</emphasis>
Packages needed if you are going to run
<filename>oe-selftest</filename>:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo dnf install python3-GitPython
</literallayout>
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para>
</section>
<section id='opensuse-packages'>
<title>openSUSE Packages</title>
<para>
The following list shows the required packages by function
given a supported openSUSE Linux distribution:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Essentials:</emphasis>
Packages needed to build an image for a headless
system:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo zypper install &OPENSUSE_HOST_PACKAGES_ESSENTIAL;
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Graphical and Eclipse Plug-In Extras:</emphasis>
Packages recommended if the host system has graphics
support or if you are going to use the Eclipse
IDE:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo zypper install libSDL-devel xterm
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Documentation:</emphasis>
Packages needed if you are going to build out the
Yocto Project documentation manuals:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo zypper install make dblatex xmlto
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>OpenEmbedded Self-Test (<filename>oe-selftest</filename>):</emphasis>
Packages needed if you are going to run
<filename>oe-selftest</filename>:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo zypper install python-GitPython
</literallayout></para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para>
</section>
<section id='centos-packages'>
<title>CentOS Packages</title>
<para>
The following list shows the required packages by function
given a supported CentOS Linux distribution:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Essentials:</emphasis>
Packages needed to build an image for a headless
system:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo yum install &CENTOS_HOST_PACKAGES_ESSENTIAL; SDL-devel xterm
</literallayout>
<note><title>Notes</title>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>
Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux
(i.e. <filename>epel-release</filename>)
is a collection of packages from Fedora
built on RHEL/CentOS for easy installation
of packages not included in enterprise
Linux by default.
You need to install these packages
separately.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
The <filename>makecache</filename> command
consumes additional Metadata from
<filename>epel-release</filename>.
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</note>
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Graphical and Eclipse Plug-In Extras:</emphasis>
Packages recommended if the host system has graphics
support or if you are going to use the Eclipse
IDE:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo yum install SDL-devel xterm
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Documentation:</emphasis>
Packages needed if you are going to build out the
Yocto Project documentation manuals:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo yum install make docbook-style-dsssl docbook-style-xsl \
docbook-dtds docbook-utils fop libxslt dblatex xmlto
</literallayout></para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>OpenEmbedded Self-Test (<filename>oe-selftest</filename>):</emphasis>
Packages needed if you are going to run
<filename>oe-selftest</filename>:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sudo yum install GitPython
</literallayout>
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para>
</section>
</section>
<section id='required-git-tar-and-python-versions'>
<title>Required Git, tar, and Python Versions</title>
<para>
In order to use the build system, your host development system
must meet the following version requirements for Git, tar, and
Python:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>Git 1.8.3.1 or greater</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>tar 1.27 or greater</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Python 3.4.0 or greater</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para>
<para>
If your host development system does not meet all these requirements,
you can resolve this by installing a <filename>buildtools</filename>
tarball that contains these tools.
You can get the tarball one of two ways: download a pre-built
tarball or use BitBake to build the tarball.
</para>
<section id='downloading-a-pre-built-buildtools-tarball'>
<title>Downloading a Pre-Built <filename>buildtools</filename> Tarball</title>
<para>
Downloading and running a pre-built buildtools installer is
the easiest of the two methods by which you can get these tools:
<orderedlist>
<listitem><para>
Locate and download the <filename>*.sh</filename> at
<ulink url='&YOCTO_DL_URL;/releases/yocto/yocto-&DISTRO;/buildtools/'></ulink>.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Execute the installation script.
Here is an example:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sh poky-glibc-x86_64-buildtools-tarball-x86_64-buildtools-nativesdk-standalone-&DISTRO;.sh
</literallayout>
During execution, a prompt appears that allows you to
choose the installation directory.
For example, you could choose the following:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
/home/<replaceable>your-username</replaceable>/buildtools
</literallayout>
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Source the tools environment setup script by using a
command like the following:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ source /home/<replaceable>your_username</replaceable>/buildtools/environment-setup-i586-poky-linux
</literallayout>
Of course, you need to supply your installation directory and be
sure to use the right file (i.e. i585 or x86-64).
</para>
<para>
After you have sourced the setup script,
the tools are added to <filename>PATH</filename>
and any other environment variables required to run the
tools are initialized.
The results are working versions versions of Git, tar,
Python and <filename>chrpath</filename>.
</para></listitem>
</orderedlist>
</para>
</section>
<section id='building-your-own-buildtools-tarball'>
<title>Building Your Own <filename>buildtools</filename> Tarball</title>
<para>
Building and running your own buildtools installer applies
only when you have a build host that can already run BitBake.
In this case, you use that machine to build the
<filename>.sh</filename> file and then
take steps to transfer and run it on a
machine that does not meet the minimal Git, tar, and Python
requirements.
</para>
<para>
Here are the steps to take to build and run your own
buildtools installer:
<orderedlist>
<listitem><para>
On the machine that is able to run BitBake,
be sure you have set up your build environment with
the setup script
(<link linkend='structure-core-script'><filename>&OE_INIT_FILE;</filename></link>).
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Run the BitBake command to build the tarball:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ bitbake buildtools-tarball
</literallayout>
<note>
The
<link linkend='var-SDKMACHINE'><filename>SDKMACHINE</filename></link>
variable in your <filename>local.conf</filename> file
determines whether you build tools for a 32-bit
or 64-bit system.
</note>
Once the build completes, you can find the
<filename>.sh</filename> file that installs
the tools in the <filename>tmp/deploy/sdk</filename>
subdirectory of the
<link linkend='build-directory'>Build Directory</link>.
The installer file has the string "buildtools"
in the name.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Transfer the <filename>.sh</filename> file from the
build host to the machine that does not meet the
Git, tar, or Python requirements.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
On the machine that does not meet the requirements,
run the <filename>.sh</filename> file
to install the tools.
Here is an example:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ sh poky-glibc-x86_64-buildtools-tarball-x86_64-buildtools-nativesdk-standalone-&DISTRO;.sh
</literallayout>
During execution, a prompt appears that allows you to
choose the installation directory.
For example, you could choose the following:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
/home/<replaceable>your_username</replaceable>/buildtools
</literallayout>
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Source the tools environment setup script by using a
command like the following:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ source /home/<replaceable>your_username</replaceable>/buildtools/environment-setup-i586-poky-linux
</literallayout>
Of course, you need to supply your installation directory and be
sure to use the right file (i.e. i585 or x86-64).
</para>
<para>
After you have sourced the setup script,
the tools are added to <filename>PATH</filename>
and any other environment variables required to run the
tools are initialized.
The results are working versions versions of Git, tar,
Python and <filename>chrpath</filename>.
</para></listitem>
</orderedlist>
</para>
</section>
</section>
</section>
<section id='intro-getit'>
<title>Obtaining the Yocto Project</title>
<para>
The Yocto Project development team makes the Yocto Project available through a number
of methods:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Source Repositories:</emphasis>
Working from a copy of the upstream
<filename>poky</filename> repository is the
preferred method for obtaining and using a Yocto Project
release.
You can view the Yocto Project Source Repositories at
<ulink url='&YOCTO_GIT_URL;/cgit.cgi'></ulink>.
In particular, you can find the
<filename>poky</filename> repository at
<ulink url='http://git.yoctoproject.org/cgit/cgit.cgi/poky/'></ulink>.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Releases:</emphasis> Stable, tested
releases are available as tarballs through
<ulink url='&YOCTO_DL_URL;/releases/yocto/'/>.</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Nightly Builds:</emphasis> These
tarball releases are available at
<ulink url='&YOCTO_AB_NIGHTLY_URL;'/>.
These builds include Yocto Project releases, SDK installation
scripts, and experimental builds.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Yocto Project Website:</emphasis> You can
find tarball releases of the Yocto Project and supported BSPs
at the
<ulink url='&YOCTO_HOME_URL;'>Yocto Project website</ulink>.
Along with these downloads, you can find lots of other
information at this site.
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para>
</section>
<section id='intro-getit-dev'>
<title>Development Checkouts</title>
<para>
Development using the Yocto Project requires a local
<link linkend='source-directory'>Source Directory</link>.
You can set up the Source Directory by cloning a copy of the upstream
<link linkend='poky'>poky</link> Git repository.
For information on how to do this, see the
"<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_DEV_URL;#working-with-yocto-project-source-files'>Working With Yocto Project Source Files</ulink>"
section in the Yocto Project Development Tasks Manual.
</para>
</section>
<section id='yocto-project-terms'>
<title>Yocto Project Terms</title>
<para>
Following is a list of terms and definitions users new to the Yocto
Project development environment might find helpful.
While some of these terms are universal, the list includes them
just in case:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>
<emphasis>Append Files:</emphasis>
Files that append build information to a recipe file.
Append files are known as BitBake append files and
<filename>.bbappend</filename> files.
The OpenEmbedded build system expects every append file to have
a corresponding recipe (<filename>.bb</filename>) file.
Furthermore, the append file and corresponding recipe file
must use the same root filename.
The filenames can differ only in the file type suffix used
(e.g.
<filename>formfactor_0.0.bb</filename> and
<filename>formfactor_0.0.bbappend</filename>).</para>
<para>Information in append files extends or overrides the
information in the similarly-named recipe file.
For an example of an append file in use, see the
"<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_DEV_URL;#using-bbappend-files'>Using .bbappend Files in Your Layer</ulink>"
section in the Yocto Project Development Tasks Manual.
<note>
Append files can also use wildcard patterns in their
version numbers so they can be applied to more than one
version of the underlying recipe file.
</note>
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='bitbake-term'>
<emphasis>BitBake:</emphasis>
The task executor and scheduler used by the OpenEmbedded build
system to build images.
For more information on BitBake, see the
<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_BB_URL;'>BitBake User Manual</ulink>.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='board-support-package-bsp-term'>
<emphasis>Board Support Package (BSP):</emphasis>
A group of drivers, definitions, and other components that
provide support for a specific hardware configuration.
For more information on BSPs, see the
<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_BSP_URL;'>Yocto Project Board Support Package (BSP) Developer's Guide</ulink>.
</para></listitem>
<listitem>
<para id='build-directory'>
<emphasis>Build Directory:</emphasis>
This term refers to the area used by the OpenEmbedded build
system for builds.
The area is created when you <filename>source</filename> the
setup environment script that is found in the Source Directory
(i.e. <link linkend='structure-core-script'><filename>&OE_INIT_FILE;</filename></link>).
The
<link linkend='var-TOPDIR'><filename>TOPDIR</filename></link>
variable points to the Build Directory.</para>
<para>You have a lot of flexibility when creating the Build
Directory.
Following are some examples that show how to create the
directory.
The examples assume your
<link linkend='source-directory'>Source Directory</link> is
named <filename>poky</filename>:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>Create the Build Directory inside your
Source Directory and let the name of the Build
Directory default to <filename>build</filename>:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ cd $HOME/poky
$ source &OE_INIT_FILE;
</literallayout>
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>Create the Build Directory inside your
home directory and specifically name it
<filename>test-builds</filename>:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$ cd $HOME
$ source poky/&OE_INIT_FILE; test-builds
</literallayout>
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Provide a directory path and specifically name the
Build Directory.
Any intermediate folders in the pathname must exist.
This next example creates a Build Directory named
<filename>YP-&POKYVERSION;</filename>
in your home directory within the existing
directory <filename>mybuilds</filename>:
<literallayout class='monospaced'>
$cd $HOME
$ source $HOME/poky/&OE_INIT_FILE; $HOME/mybuilds/YP-&POKYVERSION;
</literallayout>
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
<note>
By default, the Build Directory contains
<link linkend='var-TMPDIR'><filename>TMPDIR</filename></link>,
which is a temporary directory the build system uses for
its work.
<filename>TMPDIR</filename> cannot be under NFS.
Thus, by default, the Build Directory cannot be under NFS.
However, if you need the Build Directory to be under NFS,
you can set this up by setting <filename>TMPDIR</filename>
in your <filename>local.conf</filename> file
to use a local drive.
Doing so effectively separates <filename>TMPDIR</filename>
from <filename>TOPDIR</filename>, which is the Build
Directory.
</note>
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='hardware-build-system-term'>
<emphasis>Build System:</emphasis>
The system used to build images in a Yocto Project
Development environment.
The build system is sometimes referred to as the
development host.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
<emphasis>Classes:</emphasis>
Files that provide for logic encapsulation and inheritance so
that commonly used patterns can be defined once and then
easily used in multiple recipes.
For reference information on the Yocto Project classes, see the
"<link linkend='ref-classes'>Classes</link>" chapter.
Class files end with the <filename>.bbclass</filename>
filename extension.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
<emphasis>Configuration File:</emphasis>
Configuration information in various <filename>.conf</filename>
files provides global definitions of variables.
The <filename>conf/local.conf</filename> configuration file in
the
<link linkend='build-directory'>Build Directory</link>
contains user-defined variables that affect every build.
The <filename>meta-poky/conf/distro/poky.conf</filename>
configuration file defines Yocto "distro" configuration
variables used only when building with this policy.
Machine configuration files, which
are located throughout the
<link linkend='source-directory'>Source Directory</link>, define
variables for specific hardware and are only used when building
for that target (e.g. the
<filename>machine/beaglebone.conf</filename> configuration
file defines variables for the Texas Instruments ARM Cortex-A8
development board).
Configuration files end with a <filename>.conf</filename>
filename extension.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='cross-development-toolchain'>
<emphasis>Cross-Development Toolchain:</emphasis>
In general, a cross-development toolchain is a collection of
software development tools and utilities that run on one
architecture and allow you to develop software for a
different, or targeted, architecture.
These toolchains contain cross-compilers, linkers, and
debuggers that are specific to the target architecture.</para>
<para>The Yocto Project supports two different cross-development
toolchains:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>
A toolchain only used by and within
BitBake when building an image for a target
architecture.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>A relocatable toolchain used outside of
BitBake by developers when developing applications
that will run on a targeted device.
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist></para>
<para>Creation of these toolchains is simple and automated.
For information on toolchain concepts as they apply to the
Yocto Project, see the
"<link linkend='cross-development-toolchain-generation'>Cross-Development Toolchain Generation</link>"
section.
You can also find more information on using the
relocatable toolchain in the
<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_SDK_URL;'>Yocto Project Application Development and the Extensible Software Development Kit (eSDK)</ulink>
manual.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
<emphasis>Image:</emphasis>
An image is an artifact of the BitBake build process given
a collection of recipes and related Metadata.
Images are the binary output that run on specific hardware or
QEMU and are used for specific use-cases.
For a list of the supported image types that the Yocto Project
provides, see the
"<link linkend='ref-images'>Images</link>"
chapter.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
<emphasis>Layer:</emphasis>
A collection of recipes representing the core,
a BSP, or an application stack.
For a discussion specifically on BSP Layers, see the
"<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_BSP_URL;#bsp-layers'>BSP Layers</ulink>"
section in the Yocto Project Board Support Packages (BSP)
Developer's Guide.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='metadata'>
<emphasis>Metadata:</emphasis>
The files that BitBake parses when building an image.
In general, Metadata includes recipes, classes, and
configuration files.
In the context of the kernel ("kernel Metadata"), the
term refers to the kernel config fragments and features
contained in the
<ulink url='&YOCTO_GIT_URL;/cgit/cgit.cgi/yocto-kernel-cache'><filename>yocto-kernel-cache</filename></ulink>
Git repository.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='oe-core'>
<emphasis>OE-Core:</emphasis>
A core set of Metadata originating with OpenEmbedded (OE)
that is shared between OE and the Yocto Project.
This Metadata is found in the <filename>meta</filename>
directory of the
<link linkend='source-directory'>Source Directory</link>.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='build-system-term'>
<emphasis>OpenEmbedded Build System:</emphasis>
The build system specific to the Yocto Project.
The OpenEmbedded build system is based on another project known
as "Poky", which uses
<link linkend='bitbake-term'>BitBake</link> as the task
executor.
Throughout the Yocto Project documentation set, the
OpenEmbedded build system is sometimes referred to simply
as "the build system".
If other build systems, such as a host or target build system
are referenced, the documentation clearly states the
difference.
<note>
For some historical information about Poky, see the
<link linkend='poky'>Poky</link> term.
</note>
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
<emphasis>Package:</emphasis>
In the context of the Yocto Project, this term refers to a
recipe's packaged output produced by BitBake (i.e. a
"baked recipe").
A package is generally the compiled binaries produced from the
recipe's sources.
You "bake" something by running it through BitBake.</para>
<para>It is worth noting that the term "package" can,
in general, have subtle meanings.
For example, the packages referred to in the
"<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_QS_URL;#packages'>The Build Host Packages</ulink>"
section in the Yocto Project Quick Start are compiled binaries
that, when installed, add functionality to your Linux
distribution.</para>
<para>Another point worth noting is that historically within
the Yocto Project, recipes were referred to as packages - thus,
the existence of several BitBake variables that are seemingly
mis-named,
(e.g. <link linkend='var-PR'><filename>PR</filename></link>,
<link linkend='var-PV'><filename>PV</filename></link>, and
<link linkend='var-PE'><filename>PE</filename></link>).
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
<emphasis>Package Groups:</emphasis>
Arbitrary groups of software Recipes.
You use package groups to hold recipes that, when built,
usually accomplish a single task.
For example, a package group could contain the recipes for a
company’s proprietary or value-add software.
Or, the package group could contain the recipes that enable
graphics.
A package group is really just another recipe.
Because package group files are recipes, they end with the
<filename>.bb</filename> filename extension.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='poky'>
<emphasis>Poky:</emphasis>
The term "poky", which is pronounced
<emphasis>Pah</emphasis>-kee, can mean several things:
<itemizedlist>
<listitem><para>
In its most general sense, poky is an open-source
project that was initially developed by OpenedHand.
OpenedHand developed poky off of the existing
OpenEmbedded build system to create a commercially
supportable build system for embedded Linux.
After Intel Corporation acquired OpenedHand, the
poky project became the basis for the Yocto Project's
build system.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Within the Yocto Project
<ulink url='&YOCTO_GIT_URL;'>Source Repositories</ulink>,
"poky" exists as a separate Git
repository from which you can clone to yield a local
Git repository that is a copy on your host system.
Thus, "poky" can refer to the upstream or
local copy of the files used for development within
the Yocto Project.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Finally, "poky" can refer to the default
<link linkend='var-DISTRO'><filename>DISTRO</filename></link>
(i.e. distribution) created when you use the Yocto
Project in conjunction with the
<filename>poky</filename> repository to build an image.
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
<emphasis>Recipe:</emphasis>
A set of instructions for building packages.
A recipe describes where you get source code, which patches
to apply, how to configure the source, how to compile it and so on.
Recipes also describe dependencies for libraries or for other
recipes.
Recipes represent the logical unit of execution, the software
to build, the images to build, and use the
<filename>.bb</filename> file extension.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='reference-kit-term'>
<emphasis>Reference Kit:</emphasis>
A working example of a system, which includes a
<link linkend='board-support-package-bsp-term'>BSP</link>
as well as a
<link linkend='hardware-build-system-term'>build system</link>
and other components, that can work on specific hardware.
</para></listitem>
<listitem>
<para id='source-directory'>
<emphasis>Source Directory:</emphasis>
This term refers to the directory structure created as a result
of creating a local copy of the <filename>poky</filename> Git
repository <filename>git://git.yoctoproject.org/poky</filename>
or expanding a released <filename>poky</filename> tarball.
<note>
Creating a local copy of the <filename>poky</filename>
Git repository is the recommended method for setting up
your Source Directory.
</note>
Sometimes you might hear the term "poky directory" used to refer
to this directory structure.
<note>
The OpenEmbedded build system does not support file or
directory names that contain spaces.
Be sure that the Source Directory you use does not contain
these types of names.
</note></para>
<para>The Source Directory contains BitBake, Documentation,
Metadata and other files that all support the Yocto Project.
Consequently, you must have the Source Directory in place on
your development system in order to do any development using
the Yocto Project.</para>
<para>When you create a local copy of the Git repository, you
can name the repository anything you like.
Throughout much of the documentation, "poky"
is used as the name of the top-level folder of the local copy of
the poky Git repository.
So, for example, cloning the <filename>poky</filename> Git
repository results in a local Git repository whose top-level
folder is also named "poky".</para>
<para>While it is not recommended that you use tarball expansion
to set up the Source Directory, if you do, the top-level
directory name of the Source Directory is derived from the
Yocto Project release tarball.
For example, downloading and unpacking
<filename>&YOCTO_POKY_TARBALL;</filename> results in a
Source Directory whose root folder is named
<filename>&YOCTO_POKY;</filename>.</para>
<para>It is important to understand the differences between the
Source Directory created by unpacking a released tarball as
compared to cloning
<filename>git://git.yoctoproject.org/poky</filename>.
When you unpack a tarball, you have an exact copy of the files
based on the time of release - a fixed release point.
Any changes you make to your local files in the Source Directory
are on top of the release and will remain local only.
On the other hand, when you clone the <filename>poky</filename>
Git repository, you have an active development repository with
access to the upstream repository's branches and tags.
In this case, any local changes you make to the local
Source Directory can be later applied to active development
branches of the upstream <filename>poky</filename> Git
repository.</para>
<para>For more information on concepts related to Git
repositories, branches, and tags, see the
"<link linkend='repositories-tags-and-branches'>Repositories, Tags, and Branches</link>"
section.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para><emphasis>Task:</emphasis>
A unit of execution for BitBake (e.g.
<link linkend='ref-tasks-compile'><filename>do_compile</filename></link>,
<link linkend='ref-tasks-fetch'><filename>do_fetch</filename></link>,
<link linkend='ref-tasks-patch'><filename>do_patch</filename></link>,
and so forth).
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para id='toaster-term'><emphasis>Toaster:</emphasis>
A web interface to the Yocto Project's
<link linkend='build-system-term'>OpenEmbedded Build System</link>.
The interface enables you to configure and run your builds.
Information about builds is collected and stored in a database.
For information on Toaster, see the
<ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_TOAST_URL;'>Yocto Project Toaster Manual</ulink>.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
<emphasis>Upstream:</emphasis>
A reference to source code or repositories
that are not local to the development system but located in a
master area that is controlled by the maintainer of the source
code.
For example, in order for a developer to work on a particular
piece of code, they need to first get a copy of it from an
"upstream" source.
</para></listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</para>
</section>
</chapter>
<!--
vim: expandtab tw=80 ts=4
-->