I'm confused on cross compilation I see that projects are using macos runner on GitHub to compile b...

# kotlin-native

[zt]

I'm confused on cross compilation
I see that projects are using macos runner on GitHub to compile but what I don't understand is how they're building for Linux and Windows on MacOS
I thought platforms could only compile their respective targets, did something change? Is there somewhere I can look that details what can be built on what?

[Adam S]

https://kotlinlang.org/docs/multiplatform-publish-lib.html#host-requirements

To rephrase: Kotlin supports cross-compilation, allowing any host to produce any artifacts, except for Apple platform targets, which require macOS

[ephemient]

perhaps you are mixed up with the need to be on the same platform to use jpackage, which Compose Multiplatform uses for desktop packaging. but that's unrelated to Kotlin Native

[russhwolf]

Also remember that cross-compilation lets you build, but not run. If you want to run native desktop tests in ci, you need to use a host on the same platform.

[zt]

Ohh okay thank you all so much for clarifying

[Michael Paus]

Does that also mean that I can build and publish any Compose Multiplatform library for any platform from a macOS host because building a library doesn’t involve the use of jpackage.

[ephemient]

yes

[suresh]

Multiplatform library for any platform from a macOS host

I think that’s true only if you are not using cinterop ..rt?

[ephemient]

the topic has drifted a bit… compose desktop isn't kotlin native so there's no cinterop. there is for compose ios, but that's not an issue on macos hosts

[suresh]

Yeah got it..i was mainly talking about kotlin multiplatform cross compilation of desktop native targets. Thanks!