what is a cross-compiler

[Gerard Beekmans]

Hi,

I upgraded my gcc from 2.7.2.3 to 2.95.2 and i think I did something wrong in the process.
configured with options: --prefix=/usr/local --enable-shared
build with: make bootstrap
installed with : make install

now when I compile software that use either c++ or g++ they say c++ and g++ are cross-compilers and I think this affects the compilation somehow. 

say I have this small test program
// start test.c
#include <stdio.h>
int main() { return 0; }
// end test.c

with gcc it compiles, links and exec's fine.
with c++ and g++ it seg. fault's with core dumped.

also software like sgml-tools and lyx don't compile anymore and I kind of need those packages to update a HOWTO i'm writing.

So my first question; what exactly is a cross compiler. The cross compiler faq doesn't explain what it is. only how to make one. (at least the one I read and I'm afraid I can't remember where I read it. I think at www.cygnus.com (or something like that)).

second question: what did I do wrong while configuring/compiling it for it to become one.

third, last and obvious question: how do I fix this

Thanks a lot for any help.

if it's not too much asked could you email me your posting aswell? I don't have access to this news group all the time though I can always email so that would be most convinient for me.

-- 
Gerard Beekmans