GNU Compiler Collection: What is It and How is It Used?
We take a comprehensive dive into the GNU Compiler Collection
This article will guide you through important elements surrounding the GNU Compiler Collection, what you can use it for, its language, and other valuable information. At the end of your reading, you should be familiar with this compiler and more comfortable with its usage.
What is GNU compiler collection used for?
The GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) is a compiler system developed by the GNU Project. It supports multiple operating systems, hardware architectures, and programming languages.
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) offers GCC as free software under the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL) guidelines. GCC is an essential component of the GNU toolchain and serves as the primary compiler for numerous GNU and Linux kernel-related initiatives.
Source code written in C, C++, Objective-C, Fortran, Ada, Go, and D may be compiled using GCC. Additionally, it may be used to produce code for many other hardware architectures, including x86, ARM, PowerPC, and MIPS.
Here are some benefits of using GNU Compiler Collection:
- Since it is free software, there are no limitations on using or altering it.
- You can use it on various hardware platforms since it is portable.
- You can compile code for high-performance applications thanks to its strength.
- It is fully documented, making it simple to learn how to use.
What language does GNU use?
The GNU Compiler Collection uses the following language:
- C (gcc)
- C++ (g++)
- Objective-C
- Fortran (gfortran)
- Ada (GNAT)
- Go (gccgo)
- D
- Superset of C++17
- Superset of C11
- experimental support for C++20
- Experimental support for upcoming C++23
How do I know if I have GCC compiler?
- Press the Windows and S keys simultaneously and enter Command Prompt in the text field.
- Then, click on the app to open it.
- When prompted, Click on Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
- When the Command Prompt opens, enter the following command and hit the Enter key to see if GCC is available on the system:
gcc –version
- If you see a response like gcc: fatal error: no input files or the version displays on the console output, it is available, and you pass the test.
- However, if you see a response like ‘gcc’ is not recognized as… on the output, it is unavailable on your PC.
How do I install GNU compiler
Install GNU compiler for C?
- Open your browser and download Binary release.
- Then, choose the appropriate installer with GCC for Windows compiler.
- When the download is complete, initiate installation.
- Then, accept the terms and conditions of the compiler by clicking I Agree.
- Follow all other on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- After completing the installation, locate and double-click the CodeBlocks icon.
- Wait while the compiler detects the GCC compiler for your version of Windows automatically and click Set as default.
- Finally, start the IDE and begin using it.
How to install GNU compiler on Linux?
- Begin by opening the terminal.
- If you are a red-hat Fedora user, enter and execute the command below:
# yum groupinstall 'Development Tools' - For both Debian and Ubuntu users, enter and execute the command below:
$ sudo apt-get update$ sudo apt-get install build-essential manpages-dev - After installing, you can confirm that the installation of GCC was successful on your computer by executing the following command:
gcc --version
In conclusion, you can use the GNU Compiler Collection program on any computer if you need it. We recommend using an IDE or C compiler for Windows computers to run C programs.
It also embodies important features like link-time optimization, plugin compatibility, C++ transactional memory, and Unicode identifiers. Also, see our other articles where we identified different computer problems you might face and how to solve them.
