Funtoo:Evolved Bootstrap
This page is a draft.
The 'evolved bootstrap' is a new project to create a technology to build Funtoo Linux completely from scratch.
'From scratch' means that it should be able to build Funtoo Linux for architecture 'X' using any Linux-like environment running on architecture 'Y'.
It will function by building an initial local toolchain which will be used to cross-build an initial Funtoo environment for any architecture.
What are the Benefits?
Right now, it can be challenging to bootstrap Funtoo Linux on unsupported architectures. Many Gentoo and Funtoo packages assume a Gentoo environment, creating a chicken-and-egg problem. In addition, Portage dependencies are not always the best option for bootstrapping, as things need to be built in a very specific order and in a very controlled environment. Gentoo dependencies are designed to make sense in an already-existing Gentoo environment, but options are limited in a bootstrap environment.
The goals of the evolved bootstrap is to make the Funtoo bootstrap:
- Reliable -- will work consistently and predictably using a controlled process.
- Flexible -- will run in any Linux-like environment, and allow bootstrapping of any architecture.
- Hackable -- provide an easy mechanism for extending or expanding functionality with new languages and compilers.
- Optimized -- support the ability to build up specific parts of the toolchain using different optimized compilers.
- Extendable -- When desired, allow the bootstrap to be used to build hyper-customized Funtoo environments.
How Can I Get Involved?
Join us in the #bootstrap channel in Funtoo Discored