Cross-compilation

Cross-compilation is the process of preparing software on one type of computer (the host) that is designed to run on a different type of computer (the target). For example, building a program on a powerful desktop computer that will run on a smaller, less capable device like a smartphone or embedded system. This approach allows developers to create and test software in a familiar environment before deploying it to appliances with different hardware architectures and operating systems. The key benefit is efficiency, enabling development for multiple platforms without needing each device for compiling.