Distribution is a development environment. It contains the kernel, the libraries and the user applications. It also contains a mechanism for configuring the whole system using a graphical environment and a saved configuration for preset targets. Most importantly, it has a structured set of make files which provides the one-stop build environment. Typing "make" in the source directory will capture the target architecture and system and produce an image specifically for that target. It encapsulates all the configuration options. A graphical configuration mechanism manages how to invoke the compiler, how to run the linker, and the include files. It generates a root file system which the kernel needs to run, and the production of an image to transfer to the target system. The uClinux distribution is designed to switch architectures and projects easily, so by selecting a different root source of configuration, you can compile for a different target.