Difference Between Native Compiler and Cross Compiler Last Updated : 12 Jul, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report Compilers are essential tools in software development, helping to convert high-level programming languages into machine-readable code. Among various types of compilers, native and cross-compilers are commonly used for different purposes. This article explains the difference between a native compiler and a cross compiler, shedding light on their functions and use cases.What is a Native Compiler?Native compilers generate code for the same platform on which it runs. It converts high language into the computer's native language. For example, Turbo C or GCC compiler. if a compiler runs on a Windows machine and produces executable code for Windows, it is a native compiler. Native compilers are widely used because they can optimize code for the specific processor and operating system of the host machine, resulting in faster and more efficient code execution. They are also easier to use since they don't require any additional setup or configuration.How do Native Compilers Work?Native compilers work by analyzing the source code and generating machine code that is specific to the processor and operating system of the host machine. They can perform various optimizations, such as loop unrolling, function inlining, and instruction scheduling, to produce code that executes faster and more efficiently.AdvantagesNative compilers produce highly optimized code that can run very quickly on the same system.They are easy to set up and use since they don't require any additional tools or software.Native compilers are usually more efficient in terms of memory usage than cross-compilers.DisadvantagesNative compilers are limited to the hardware and operating system on which they are running. This means that they cannot be used to compile code for other platforms.They are not suitable for cross-platform development, which requires the ability to compile code for different hardware and operating systems.What is Cross compiler? A cross-compiler is a compiler that generates executable code for a platform other than the one on which the compiler is running. For example, a compiler that runs on Linux/x86 box is building a program that will run on a separate Arduino/ARM. if a compiler runs on a Linux machine and produces executable code for Windows, then it is a cross-compiler. Cross compilers are typically used in embedded systems or when targeting platforms that are not available on the host machine. They are more difficult to set up and use than native compilers because they require additional configuration and libraries to generate code for the target platform.How do Cross Compilers Work?Cross-compilers operate by examining the source code and producing machine code tailored for a different processor and/or operating system than that of the compilation host. These compilers facilitate the development of software for platforms distinct from the one on which the compilation occurs. Similar to native compilers, cross-compilers can implement optimizations like loop unrolling, function inlining, and instruction scheduling to enhance the performance and efficiency of the generated code for the target system.AdvantagesCross-compilers can be used to develop software for multiple platforms.They can optimize code for a specific platform, even if the development environment is different.Cross compilers are often used in embedded systems development, where resources are limited.DisadvantagesCross compilers can be complex to set up and use, and require additional software and tools.They may not be as efficient as native compilers in terms of memory usage.Cross compilers require the developer to have a good understanding of the target system's hardware and operating system.Difference Between Native Compiler and Cross CompilerNative CompilerCross CompilerTranslates program for same hardware/platform/machine on it is running.Translates program for different hardware/platform/machine other than the platform which it is running.It is used to build programs for same system/machine & OS it is installed.It is used to build programs for other system/machine like AVR/ARM.It is dependent on System/machine and OS.It is independent of System/machine and OS.It can generate executable file like .exeIt can generate raw code .hexGenerates machine code for the same platform it's running on.Generates machine code for a different platform than it's running on.Turbo C or GCC is native Compiler.Keil is a cross compiler.Used for development and testing on the same system.Used for cross-platform development, porting, and cross-compiling.Example :- GCC compiler on a Linux machine.Example:- ARM compiler on a Windows machine for compiling code for a Raspberry Pi.ConclusionIn summary, native compilers and cross compilers serve different purposes in software development. Native compilers are designed for use on the same system and produce highly optimized code, while cross compilers are used to develop software for multiple platforms. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which one to use depends on the specific needs of the development project. Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article Introduction of Compiler Design V virusbuddha Follow Improve Article Tags : Compiler Design Difference Between GATE CS Similar Reads Introduction of Compiler Design A compiler is software that translates or converts a program written in a high-level language (Source Language) into a low-level language (Machine Language or Assembly Language). Compiler design is the process of developing a compiler.The development of compilers is closely tied to the evolution of 9 min read Compiler Design BasicsIntroduction of Compiler DesignA compiler is software that translates or converts a program written in a high-level language (Source Language) into a low-level language (Machine Language or Assembly Language). Compiler design is the process of developing a compiler.The development of compilers is closely tied to the evolution of 9 min read Compiler construction toolsThe compiler writer can use some specialized tools that help in implementing various phases of a compiler. These tools assist in the creation of an entire compiler or its parts. Some commonly used compiler construction tools include: Parser Generator - It produces syntax analyzers (parsers) from the 4 min read Phases of a CompilerA compiler is a software tool that converts high-level programming code into machine code that a computer can understand and execute. It acts as a bridge between human-readable code and machine-level instructions, enabling efficient program execution. The process of compilation is divided into six p 10 min read Symbol Table in CompilerEvery compiler uses a symbol table to track all variables, functions, and identifiers in a program. It stores information such as the name, type, scope, and memory location of each identifier. Built during the early stages of compilation, the symbol table supports error checking, scope management, a 8 min read Error Handling in Compiler DesignDuring the process of language translation, the compiler can encounter errors. While the compiler might not always know the exact cause of the error, it can detect and analyze the visible problems. The main purpose of error handling is to assist the programmer by pointing out issues in their code. E 5 min read Language Processors: Assembler, Compiler and InterpreterComputer programs are generally written in high-level languages (like C++, Python, and Java). A language processor, or language translator, is a computer program that convert source code from one programming language to another language or to machine code (also known as object code). They also find 5 min read Generation of Programming LanguagesProgramming languages have evolved significantly over time, moving from fundamental machine-specific code to complex languages that are simpler to write and understand. Each new generation of programming languages has improved, allowing developers to create more efficient, human-readable, and adapta 6 min read Lexical AnalysisIntroduction of Lexical AnalysisLexical analysis, also known as scanning is the first phase of a compiler which involves reading the source program character by character from left to right and organizing them into tokens. Tokens are meaningful sequences of characters. There are usually only a small number of tokens for a programm 6 min read Flex (Fast Lexical Analyzer Generator)Flex (Fast Lexical Analyzer Generator), or simply Flex, is a tool for generating lexical analyzers scanners or lexers. Written by Vern Paxson in C, circa 1987, Flex is designed to produce lexical analyzers that is faster than the original Lex program. Today it is often used along with Berkeley Yacc 7 min read Introduction of Finite AutomataFinite automata are abstract machines used to recognize patterns in input sequences, forming the basis for understanding regular languages in computer science. They consist of states, transitions, and input symbols, processing each symbol step-by-step. If the machine ends in an accepting state after 4 min read Classification of Context Free GrammarsA Context-Free Grammar (CFG) is a formal rule system used to describe the syntax of programming languages in compiler design. It provides a set of production rules that specify how symbols (terminals and non-terminals) can be combined to form valid sentences in the language. CFGs are important in th 4 min read Ambiguous GrammarContext-Free Grammars (CFGs) is a way to describe the structure of a language, such as the rules for building sentences in a language or programming code. These rules help define how different symbols can be combined to create valid strings (sequences of symbols).CFGs can be divided into two types b 7 min read Syntax Analysis & ParsersIntroduction to Syntax Analysis in Compiler DesignSyntax Analysis (also known as parsing) is the step after Lexical Analysis. The Lexical analysis breaks source code into tokens.Tokens are inputs for Syntax Analysis.The goal of Syntax Analysis is to interpret the meaning of these tokens. It checks whether the tokens produced by the lexical analyzer 7 min read FIRST and FOLLOW in Compiler DesignIn compiler design, FIRST and FOLLOW are two sets used to help parsers understand how to process a grammar.FIRST Set: The FIRST set of a non-terminal contains all the terminal symbols that can appear at the beginning of any string derived from that non-terminal. In other words, it tells us which ter 6 min read Parsing - Introduction to ParsersParsing, also known as syntactic analysis, is the process of analyzing a sequence of tokens to determine the grammatical structure of a program. It takes the stream of tokens, which are generated by a lexical analyzer or tokenizer, and organizes them into a parse tree or syntax tree.The parse tree v 6 min read Construction of LL(1) Parsing TableParsing is an essential part of computer science, especially in compilers and interpreters. From the various parsing techniques, LL(1) parsing is best. It uses a predictive, top-down approach. This allows efficient parsing without backtracking. This article will explore parsing and LL(1) parsing. It 6 min read Syntax Directed Translation & Intermediate Code GenerationSyntax Directed Translation in Compiler DesignSyntax-Directed Translation (SDT) is a method used in compiler design to convert source code into another form while analyzing its structure. It integrates syntax analysis (parsing) with semantic rules to produce intermediate code, machine code, or optimized instructions.In SDT, each grammar rule is 8 min read S - Attributed and L - Attributed SDTs in Syntax Directed TranslationIn Syntax-Directed Translation (SDT), the rules are those that are used to describe how the semantic information flows from one node to the other during the parsing phase. SDTs are derived from context-free grammars where referring semantic actions are connected to grammar productions. Such action c 4 min read Parse Tree and Syntax TreeParse Tree and Syntax tree are tree structures that represent the structure of a given input according to a formal grammar. They play an important role in understanding and verifying whether an input string aligns with the language defined by a grammar. These terms are often used interchangeably but 4 min read Intermediate Code Generation in Compiler DesignIn the analysis-synthesis model of a compiler, the front end of a compiler translates a source program into an independent intermediate code, then the back end of the compiler uses this intermediate code to generate the target code (which can be understood by the machine). The benefits of using mach 6 min read Issues in the design of a code generatorA code generator is a crucial part of a compiler that converts the intermediate representation of source code into machine-readable instructions. Its main task is to produce the correct and efficient code that can be executed by a computer. The design of the code generator should ensure that it is e 7 min read Three address code in CompilerTAC is an intermediate representation of three-address code utilized by compilers to ease the process of code generation. Complex expressions are, therefore, decomposed into simple steps comprising, at most, three addresses: two operands and one result using this code. The results from TAC are alway 6 min read Data flow analysis in CompilerData flow is analysis that determines the information regarding the definition and use of data in program. With the help of this analysis, optimization can be done. In general, its process in which values are computed using data flow analysis. The data flow property represents information that can b 6 min read Code Optimization & Runtime EnvironmentsCode Optimization in Compiler DesignCode optimization is a crucial phase in compiler design aimed at enhancing the performance and efficiency of the executable code. By improving the quality of the generated machine code optimizations can reduce execution time, minimize resource usage, and improve overall system performance. This proc 9 min read Introduction of Object Code in Compiler DesignLet assume that you have a C program then, you give it to the compiler and compiler will produce the output in assembly code. Now, that assembly language code will be given to the assembler and assembler will produce some code and that code is known as Object Code. Object CodeObject Code is a key co 6 min read Static and Dynamic ScopingThe scope of a variable x in the region of the program in which the use of x refers to its declaration. One of the basic reasons for scoping is to keep variables in different parts of the program distinct from one another. Since there are only a small number of short variable names, and programmers 6 min read Runtime Environments in Compiler DesignA translation needs to relate the static source text of a program to the dynamic actions that must occur at runtime to implement the program. The program consists of names for procedures, identifiers, etc., that require mapping with the actual memory location at runtime. Runtime environment is a sta 8 min read LinkerA linker is an essential tool in the process of compiling a program. It helps combine various object modules (output from the assembler) into a single executable file that can be run on a system. The linker’s job is to manage and connect different pieces of code and data, ensuring that all reference 8 min read Loader in C/C++The loader is the program of the operating system which loads the executable from the disk into the primary memory(RAM) for execution. It allocates the memory space to the executable module in the main memory and then transfers control to the beginning instruction of the program. The loader is an im 3 min read Practice QuestionsLast Minute Notes - Compiler DesignIn computer science, compiler design is the study of how to build a compiler, which is a program that translates high-level programming languages (like Python, C++, or Java) into machine code that a computer's hardware can execute directly. The focus is on how the translation happens, ensuring corre 13 min read Compiler Design - GATE CSE Previous Year QuestionsIn this article, we are mainly focusing on the Compiler Design GATE Questions that have been asked in Previous Years, with their solutions. And where an explanation is required, we have also provided the reason. Topic-Wise Quizzes to Practice Previous Year's QuestionsLexical AnalysisParsingSyntax-Di 1 min read Like