Noob question on adding programs to Busybox

Pete Helgren Pete at valadd.com
Wed Feb 10 17:02:33 UTC 2010


Background: I am not a *NIX person although I do have a few Linux 
installations under my belt.  I have had to compile Linux apps before 
(Asterisk for example) but it has been done by following step by step 
instructions (monkey see, monkey do) so this may be ridiculously simple 
question for the regular Linux guy. I did read quite a bit last night 
about how to compile Busybox and how to cross compile in Linux in 
general but I didn't see a clear answer.  I am primarily a Java 
developer so I have been insulated from the C and C++ environments when 
it comes to having to compile applications.

Here is the situation: I have a device that has Busybox installed 
(BusyBox v1.1.3 (2007.10.23-16:18+0000) Built-in shell (ash) ).  What is 
missing in this particular build on this device is any kind of http 
server.  I want to be able to send a request to the device and have it 
return a file to me.  After looking at the options, it seems that an 
http server, with maybe a cgi app that parses and returns the data might 
be the easiest way to do it.  I could probably do it with FTP as well.  
The whole idea is to send a request for data, query the sqlite DB and 
send back a file of the data.

So, finally, the question: Can I compile an application on Busybox and 
have it work?  Or, do I need to follow the cross compile instructions 
and "build" this http server on a Linux distro and then move the 
executable onto Busybox OR do I need to build a whole new Busybox 
executable and include the http server?  Since I am not 100% sure of how 
Busybox is implemented, I am not sure of how best to approach getting an 
http server into this currently embedded version of Busybox.

Links, tutorials, and step by step instructions are appreciated.

Pete


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