What is -ffreestanding option in gcc?

c, compilation, freestanding, gcc

Solution

A `freestanding` environment is one in which the standard library may not exist, and program startup may not necessarily be at "main". The option `-ffreestanding` directs the compiler to not assume that standard functions have their usual definition.

By default, GCC will act as the compiler for a hosted implementation, defining `__STDC_HOSTED__` as 1 and presuming that when the names of ISO C functions are used, they have the semantics defined in the standard. To make it act as a conforming freestanding implementation for a freestanding environment, use the option `-ffreestanding`. It will then define `__STDC_HOSTED__` to 0, and not make assumptions about the meanings of function names from the standard library.

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Problem

What is `ffreestanding` in gcc ? What is it used for ? I came across the following : ``` gcc -ffreestanding -m32 -c kernel.c -o kernel.o ``` and do not understand, what does it mean exactly.

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