Specifications

BSP Settings File Creation
Each BSP has an associated settings file that saves the values of all BSP settings. The BSP settings file is in
extensible markup language (XML) format and has a .bsp extension by convention. When you create or
update your BSP, the Nios II SBT writes the value of all settings to the settings file.
The BSP settings file does not need to duplicate system information (such as base addresses of devices),
because the nios2-bsp-generate-files utility has access to the .sopcinfo file.
The nios2-bsp-create-settings utility creates a new BSP settings file. The nios2-bsp-update-settings
utility updates an existing BSP settings file. The nios2-bsp-query-settings utility reports the setting values
in an existing BSP settings file. The nios2-bsp-generate-files utility generates a BSP from the BSP settings
file.
Figure 4-2: Interaction between the Nios II SBT and the BSP Settings File
BSP settings file
(.bsp)
nios2-bsp-update-settings
nios2-bsp-create-settings
nios2-bsp-query-settings nios2-bsp-generate-files
Generated and Copied Files
To understand how to build and modify Nios II C/C++ projects, it is important to understand the
difference between copied and generated files.
A copied file is installed with the Nios II EDS, and copied to your BSP directory when you create your
BSP. It does not replace the BSP file unless it differs from the distribution file.
A generated file is dynamically created by the nios2-bsp-generate-files utility. Generated files reside in
the top-level BSP directory. BSP files are normally written every time nios2-bsp-generate-files runs.
You can disable generation of any BSP file in the BSP Editor, or on the command line with the
set_ignore_file Tcl command. Otherwise, if you modify a BSP file, it is destroyed when you regenerate
the BSP.
HAL BSP Files and Folders
The Nios II SBT creates the HAL BSP directory in the location you specify.
HAL BSP After Generating Files
The SBT places generated files in the top-level BSP directory, and copied files in the HAL and drivers
directories.
NII5V2
2015.05.14
BSP Settings File Creation
4-21
Nios II Software Build Tools
Altera Corporation
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