[PATCH] WHATSNEW: Document cross-building improvement

[Uri Simchoni]

Hi,
Pls review.
Thanks,
Uri
-------------- next part --------------
From b021ef5ed4bd33d7e57a4d074745f65402ace214 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Uri Simchoni <urisimchoni at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:37:09 +0300
Subject: [PATCH] WHATSNEW: Add description of improved cross-compilation
 support

Signed-off-by: Uri Simchoni <urisimchoni at gmail.com>
---
 WHATSNEW.txt | 32 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 32 insertions(+)

diff --git a/WHATSNEW.txt b/WHATSNEW.txt
index 33b2766..d78dc3f 100644
--- a/WHATSNEW.txt
+++ b/WHATSNEW.txt
@@ -177,6 +177,38 @@ The "tls priority" option can be used to change the supported TLS
 protocols. The default is to disable SSLv3, which is no longer
 considered secure.
 
+Improved Cross-Compiling Support
+--------------------------------
+
+A new "hybrid" build configuration mode is added to improve
+cross-compilation support.
+
+A common challenge in cross-compilation is that of obtaining the results
+of tests that have to run on the target, during the configuration
+phase of the build. The Samba build system already supports the following
+means to do so:
+
+  - Executing configure tests using the --cross-execute parameter
+  - Obtaining the results from an answers file using the --cross-answers
+    parameter
+
+The first method has the drawback of inaccurate results if the tests are
+run using an emulator, or a need to be connected to a running target
+while building, if the tests are to be run on an actual target. The
+second method presents a challenge of figuring out the test results.
+
+The new hybrid mode runs the tests and records the result in an answer file.
+To activate this mode, use both --cross-execute and --cross-answers in the
+same configure invocation. This mode can be activated once against a
+running target, and then the generated answers file can be used in
+subsequent builds.
+
+Also supplied is an example script that can be used as the
+cross-execute program. This script copies the test to a running target
+and runs the test on the target, obtaining the result. The obtained
+results are more accurate than running the test with an emulator, because
+they reflect the exact kernel and system libraries that exist on the
+target.
 
 ######################################################################
 Changes
-- 
1.9.1