primitive questions

[sidster <patrick at mail dot boxsoft dot com>]

Greetings,

I have a couple of what one might call primitive questions regarding
working on the gcc source.  I was unable to find answers to my questions
looking through the list (i suppose i didn't know what keywords to search
on to limit the search result).

These questions might be useful as a FAQ entry btw.

Originally I was not going to post to the developer list as to avoid
cluttering developers' inboxes.  But I was persuaded to change my mind.

Here goes:

1. When working on the cvs sources for gcc (or other projects e.g.,
   libgcj) what is the standard procedure to follow after each of the
   following:

   a. a `cvs update':
   b. source modifications by the developer:


      i. is re-running the `configure' script required each time?

     ii. does the developer perform the three-stage build of gcc?
         (this would seem a bit drastic especially if one has a slower
         development box. so I assume there is a different make-target
         used for development other than `make bootstrap'.)


Basically I want to know if I were to start tackling the gcc sources
to aid in the bug-fixes, etc.  how should I proceed with modifying,
making and testing the changes.


Any pointers to documents available on-line regarding these issues
would be most appreciated.


Best regards,

patrick

p.s., I hope my questions were not too 'silly' to be asked on this list.
--
It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word.
      -- Andrew Jackson