Getting Started
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## Getting Started

##

### Introduction

The eCos Configuration Tool is used to tailor eCos at source level, prior to compilation or assembly, and provides a configuration file and a set of files used to build user applications. The sources and other files used for building a configuration are provided in a component repository, which is loaded when the eCos Configuration Tool is invoked. The component repository includes a set of files defining the structure of relationships between the Configuration Tool and other components, and is written in a Component Definition Language (CDL). For a description of the concepts underlying component configuration, see CDL Concepts .

The Configuration Tool runs on both Linux and MS Windows, adopting the appropriate look and feel on each platform. There are some minor differences in look and feel, and sometimes functionality, between the Linux and the MS Windows versions. Where these differences are significant, they will be described, but generally screenshots are provided for one platform only.

### Invoking the eCos Configuration Tool

## On Linux

Add the eCos Configuration Tool install directory to your PATH, for example:

export PATH=/opt/ecos/ecos1.5.0/bin:$PATH

You may run configtool with zero, one or two arguments. You can specify the eCos repository location, and/or an eCos save file (extension .ecc) on the command line. The ordering of these two arguments is not significant. For example:

configtool /opt/ecos/ecos1.5.0/packages myfile.ecc

The Configuration Tool will be displayed (see Figure 1 below).

## On Windows

There are two ways in which to invoke the eCos Configuration Tool:

- from the desktop explorer or program set up at installation time (by default Start Programs Red Hat eCos Configuration Tool ).

- type (at a command prompt or in the Start menu's Run item): <foldername>\ConfigTool.exe where <foldername> is the full path of the directory in which you installed the eCos Configuration Tool. The Configuration Tool will be displayed (see Figure 1 below).

You may run configtool with zero, one or two arguments. You can specify the eCos repository location, and/or an eCos save file (extension .ecc) on the command line. The ordering of these two arguments is not significant. For example:

configtool "c:\Program Files\Red Hat\eCos\packages" myfile.ecc

Figure 1: Configuration Tool

### The Component Repository

When you invoke the eCos Configuration Tool, it accesses the Component Repository, a read-only location of configuration information. For an explanation of "Component Repository" see CDL Concepts .

The eCos Configuration Tool will look for a component repository using (in descending order of preference):

- A location specified on the command line

- The component repository most recently used by the current user

- An eCos distribution under /opt/ecos (under Linux) or a default location set by the installation procedure (under MS Windows)

- User input

The final case above will normally only occur if the previous repository has been moved or (under Windows) installation information stored in the NT registry has been modified; it will result in a dialog box being displayed that allows you to specify the repository location:

Repository relocation dialog box

Note that in order to use the eCos Configuration Tool you are obliged to provide a valid repository location.

In the rare event that you subsequently wish to change the component location, select Build Repository and the above dialog box will then be displayed.

### eCos Configuration Tool Documents

### Configuration Save File

eCos configuration settings and other information (such as disabled conflicts) that are set using the eCos Configuration Tool are saved to a file between sessions. By default, when the eCos Configuration Tool is first invoked, it reads and displays information from the Component Registry and displays the information in an untitled blank document. You can perform the following operations on a document:

#### Save the currently active document

Use the " FileSave " menu item or click the Save Document icon on the toolbar; if the current document is unnamed, you will be prompted to supply a name for the configuration save file.

Save As dialog box

#### Open an existing document

Select File Open, or click the Open Document icon on the toolbar. You will be prompted to supply a name for the configuration save file.

Open dialog box

#### Open a document you have used recently

Click its name at the bottom of the File menu.

Documents may also be opened by:

- double-clicking a Configuration Save File in the desktop explorer (MS Windows only)

- invoking the eCos Configuration Tool with the name of a Configuration File as command-line argument, or (under MS Windows) by creating a shortcut to the eCos Configuration Tool with such an argument.

#### Create a new blank document based on the Component Registry

Select File New, or click the New Document icon on the toolbar.

#### Save to a different file name

Select File Save As. You will be prompted to supply a new name for the configuration save file.

### Build and Install Trees

The location of the build and install trees are derived from the eCos save file name as illustrated in the following example using MS Windows filename conventions:

Save file name = "c:\My eCos\config1.ecc"

Install tree folder = "c:\My eCos\config1_install"

Build tree folder = "c:\My eCos\config1_build"

These names are automatically generated from the name of the save file.

See also CDL Concepts .

Getting Started
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