Understanding Projects, Platforms, Targets, and Images

Before using Image Creator it is important to understand the relationship between projects, targets, functional sets, and images.

This diagram shows the relationship between projects, targets, and images.

Project
A project is a platform-specific build-environment with one or more targets. When you create a project, Image Creator creates a full Linux filesystem in the directory you specify. Chrooting into this directory creates an isolated environment where you can develop software for your device. The environment includes apt tools, so you can install packages of the tools you need. The project directory includes one or more targets which are located in the /targets directory.

Platform
The platform is your target device. You select a platform when you create a project. This determines the kernel, system configuration, and device drivers that are made available as part of the targets you create within a project.

Target
The target is a platform-specific Linux filesystem, created in the /targets directory of your project. You create an image from a target. One or more targets can exist for each project. Like projects, you can also chroot into this environment to configure it or copy applications from your project before making an image.

Function/Feature Set (fset)
A functional (or feature) set is a group of packages representing some functional area that Image Creator can install on the target. An fset can have dependencies on other fsets. If you select to install an fset that depends on another fset, the prerequisite fset will automatically be selected and installed on the target first.

Image
An image is a large file created from a target. You can specify its name. An image can then be copied to a device using a USB pen drive, CD, or NAND.

Further information
For information on how to use Image Creator to create an image for your mobile device see Creating an image for your Netbook