milton2
Joined: 08 Nov 2012
Posts: 10
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 Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:46 am Post subject: self-hosting |
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The term self-hosting was coined to refer to the use of a computer program as part of the toolchain or operating system that produces new versions of that same program—for example, a compiler that can compile its own source code. Self-hosting software is commonplace on personal computers and larger systems. Other programs that are typically self-hosting include kernels, assemblers, shells and revision control software.
If a system is so new that no software has been written for it, then software is developed on another self-hosting system and placed on a storage device that the new system can read. Development continues this way until the new system can reliably host its own development. Development of the Linux operating system, for example, was initially hosted on a Minix system. Writing new software development tools "from the metal" (that is, without using another host system) is rare and in many cases impractical.
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