# File lib/rake/extensioncompiler.rb, line 13
    def self.mingw_host
      return @mingw_host if @mingw_host

      # the mingw_gcc_executable is helpful here
      if target = mingw_gcc_executable then
        # we only care for the filename
        target = File.basename(target)

        # now strip the extension (if present)
        target.sub!(File.extname(target), '')

        # get rid of '-gcc' portion too ;-)
        target.sub!('-gcc', '')
      end

      raise "No MinGW tools or unknown setup platform?" unless target

      @mingw_host = target
    end