.. _cross_compilation_setup:

Cross Compilation Environment
#############################

The SiMa.ai Palette SDK provides isolated environments for cross-compiling applications targeting different hardware and operating systems. Developers must enter the correct SDK container and activate the platform-specific toolchain before building their applications.

SiMa.ai supports two primary target environments:

1. **Modalix**: Uses **eLxr Linux**, a Debian-based OS offering standard package management (``apt``).
2. **MLSoC**: Uses **Yocto Linux**, a minimal and deterministic embedded OS.

To setup the cross compilation environment, follow the steps below for MLSoC or Modalix respectively.



.. tabs::
  
   .. tab:: eLxr SDK (Modalix)

      **1. Enter the SDK Container**

      From your host machine, enter the eLxr SDK container:

      .. code-block:: bash

          sima-user@host:~$ sima-cli sdk elxr

      **2. Activate the Toolchain**

      Once inside the container, initialize the build environment:

      .. code-block:: bash

          user@elxr-sdk:/home/docker$ source /opt/bin/simaai-init-build-env modalix

      **3. Verify the Environment**

      Check the ``$CC`` variable to confirm the cross-compiler is active:

      .. code-block:: bash

          user@elxr-sdk:/home/docker$ echo $CC
    
      Output should resemble: ``aarch64-linux-gnu-gcc``

   .. tab:: Yocto SDK (MLSoC)

      **1. Enter the SDK Container**

      From your host machine, enter the Yocto SDK container:

      .. code-block:: bash

          sima-user@host:~$ sima-cli sdk yocto

      **2. Verify the Environment**

      In the Yocto SDK the build environment should be automatically activated.
      
      Check the ``$CC`` variable to confirm the cross-compiler is active:

      .. code-block:: bash

          user@yocto-sdk:/home/docker$ echo $CC
    
      Output should resemble: ``aarch64-poky-linux-gcc ...``