Install x86_64-elf-binutils with Homebrew

Project links

• Homepage
• Repository
• Upstream docs
• Package manager page

Commands and aliases

• x86_64-elf-addr2line
• x86_64-elf-ar
• x86_64-elf-as
• x86_64-elf-c++filt
• x86_64-elf-elfedit
• x86_64-elf-gprof
• x86_64-elf-ld
• x86_64-elf-ld.bfd
• x86_64-elf-nm
• x86_64-elf-objcopy
• x86_64-elf-objdump
• x86_64-elf-ranlib
• x86_64-elf-readelf
• x86_64-elf-size
• x86_64-elf-strings
• x86_64-elf-strip

Project history

GNU Binutils is one of the oldest layers of the GNU toolchain. The GNU page describes it as a collection of binary tools whose main programs are `ld`, the GNU linker, `as`, the GNU assembler, and `gold`, with supporting tools such as `ar`, `nm`, `objcopy`, `objdump`, `readelf`, `size`, `strings`, and `strip`.

Historically the suite grew around shared binary-format infrastructure. The GNU page notes that most of the programs use BFD, the Binary File Descriptor library, for low-level manipulation of different object formats, and many also use the opcodes library for assembling and disassembling machine instructions. That architecture is why one source project can support many CPU, object-format, and OS targets.

Adoption history

The normal native GNU toolchain pairs Binutils with GCC, GDB, make, and libc to build software for the host. Cross-toolchain users instead configure Binutils with a target such as `x86_64-elf`, producing prefixed tools that generate ELF objects and binaries for a target environment independent of the host OS.

OSDev's cross-compiler guide explains the reason for this pattern: a host compiler assumes the host CPU, operating system, executable format, headers, and libraries unless directed otherwise, while a cross-compiler uses an explicit target and avoids accidental host assumptions. Binutils is built first because GCC needs the target assembler and linker.

How it is used

In a freestanding x86-64 workflow, `x86_64-elf-as` assembles startup or interrupt code, `x86_64-elf-ld` links objects with a custom linker script, `x86_64-elf-objcopy` converts or extracts binary images, and `x86_64-elf-objdump` or `x86_64-elf-readelf` inspects ELF sections, relocations, symbols, and disassembly.

Package users often install x86_64-elf-binutils alongside `x86_64-elf-gcc`. The useful bit is the prefix: build scripts can call target-specific tools directly and avoid accidentally invoking `/usr/bin/as` or the platform linker, which may default to Mach-O, PE, Linux user-space ELF, or another host-specific environment.

Why package nerds care

This package is significant because it turns GNU Binutils from a native developer utility into a precise cross-toolchain component. For OS development and bare-metal experiments, the absence of host assumptions is the feature.

The `x86_64-elf` target also captures a long-running package-manager convenience: many OSDev tutorials show users how to build Binutils by hand, but a packaged cross Binutils gives them the target-prefixed assembler, linker, and inspection tools without owning that bootstrap step.

Timeline

• 1980s-1990s: GNU assembler, linker, BFD, and related binary utilities mature as core parts of the GNU build toolchain.
• 1999: The GNU Binutils page notes older `gas2` and `bfd` lists were historical discussion lists until May 1999, reflecting project consolidation under current mailing lists.
• 2000s: OS-development communities standardize on target-prefixed GNU Binutils and GCC cross toolchains such as `i686-elf` and `x86_64-elf`.
• 2020s: The GNU Binutils project continues regular releases from Sourceware and GNU mirrors, with current documentation covering Binutils 2.46-era tools.
• 2026: GNU's Binutils page lists 2.46.1 as the latest release and documents the Sourceware `binutils-gdb.git` development tree.

Related projects

• GCC is the compiler suite commonly paired with Binutils in both native and cross toolchains.
• GDB shares the Sourceware `binutils-gdb.git` repository history and is often built for the same target family.
• OSDev tutorials commonly use Binutils and GCC as the first toolchain pieces for hobby operating-system development.
• LLVM tools such as `llvm-objdump` and `lld` are related alternatives in some cross and bare-metal workflows.

Sources

• https://sourceware.org/binutils/docs/as/
• https://sourceware.org/binutils/docs/binutils/
• https://sourceware.org/binutils/docs/ld/
• https://wiki.osdev.org/Binutils
• https://wiki.osdev.org/GCC_Cross-Compiler
• https://wiki.osdev.org/Why_do_I_need_a_Cross_Compiler%3F
• https://www.gnu.org/software/binutils/