Cross compiler, by definition, is a compiler which builds software for another platform, not the platform it is running on. This means we can develop and compile our applications from *Windows* environment for the Pi.
*Raspberry Pi* is a powerful machine for the limited features it has. Developing software under it, when it is a simple program does not engage much difficulty or time to compile the results. But when we tackle more complex projects, it becomes rather tedious task, especially when debug any process.
The advantages of the cross-compiling can imagine: Working with the environment in which you feel more comfortable, speed development time and debugging, compiling for different machines ...
One can compile from *Windows* to *Linux* or *Mac OSX*, or you can compile from *x86* to *ARM* or *x86_64*.
In the following link, we have the steps to configure a *Windows* machine and compile our projects with *Eclipse*. The libraries are you can buy for $ 10 or compile them yourself according to the environment you prefer *(Raspbian vs Debian, arm-linux-gnueabihf vs arm-linux-gnueabi, dynamic linking to ld-linux-ld-linux vs armhf.so.3 . SO.3).*
This method I want to extend it in successive post, looking for other development platforms such as *Ubuntu* or *Mac OSX*. Stay tuned.
Link: [gurucoding.com](http://www.gurucoding.com/en/rpi_cross_compiler/index.php)
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