how do you use gcc compilers from ps2dev site?

[blueshogun96]

Ok, for the most part, I am a noob to using gcc compilers, makefiles, etc. I'm not saying that I am a noob to coding though, I am a spoiled MSVC user. So I'm asking, how do I use a makefile? Is it like a visual studio project? I'm also wondering how do you set up the ps2 compiler after you install it? Do I have to edit my autoexec.bat? And when it's all set up, to I have to compile different obj files from the ee and iop compilers and link them into one .elf file? Any help would be greatly apreciated. And sorry if I asked a question that is asked all the time, I don't have time to search the forums because I'm using a public computer with only 1 hour to get as much stuff done as possible

[dlanor]

Ok, for the most part, I am a noob to using gcc compilers, makefiles, etc. I'm not saying that I am a noob to coding though, I am a spoiled MSVC user. So I'm asking, how do I use a makefile? Is it like a visual studio project?

Well, not really alike a project file, though I suppose it's the closest equivalent.
Being unfamiliar with makefiles means that you have a lot of reading to do before you can use GCC with confidence.

I'm also wondering how do you set up the ps2 compiler after you install it? Do I have to edit my autoexec.bat?

No. When installed properly, as an addon to a Cygwin installation, you can launch all PS2-related tools through a Cygwin-based shell (normally bash). This will setup the PS2DEV environment variables needed, so that they will be local to this command session, without affecting any global settings of your PC.

And when it's all set up, to I have to compile different obj files from the ee and iop compilers and link them into one .elf file?

Normally the linking is specified by the makefile used, or possibly by some 'Rules.make' file included by it. This sort of thing is best learned by studying existing projects. (There are tons of open-source projects available.)

But there are some additional complications as well. For example, it is quite normal for an EE type program to include any IOP program modules it needs as data, and send them to the IOP from RAM. This is often referred to as 'embedding IRXs', and is only slightly similar to how you can embed DLLs into an EXE file on a PC. (The difference being that a DLL normally uses the same CPU as the EXE. But on a PS2 the ELFs use EE and the IRXs use IOP.)

Any help would be greatly apreciated. And sorry if I asked a question that is asked all the time, I don't have time to search the forums because I'm using a public computer with only 1 hour to get as much stuff done as possible

Well, I hope you have some better setup planned for the future, because you won't get much development done in one-hour sessions...

Best regards: dlanor