Real-Time Workshop

4. Create the Executable

Creation of an executable program is the final stage of the build process. This stage is optional, as illustrated by the control logic in Figure 2-2.

If you are targeting a system such as an embedded micro controller or a DSP board, you can choose to generate only source code. You can then cross compile your code and download it to your target hardware. Making an Executable of the Real-Time Workshop documentation discusses the options that control whether or not the build creates an executable.

The creation of the executable, if enabled, takes place after the model.mk file has been created. At this point, the build process invokes the make utility, which in turn runs the compiler. To avoid unnecessary recompilation of C files, the make utility performs date checking on the dependencies between the object and C files; only out-of-date source files are compiled.

Optionally, make can also download the executable to your target hardware.

Figure 2-2: How Automatic Program Building Is Controlled

3. Generate a Customized Makefile

Summary of Files Created by the Build Procedure