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What is the GNU Compiler?

Published in Compiler Technology 2 mins read

The GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) is a compiler system produced by the GNU Project that supports various programming languages.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

  • What it is: GCC is not just one compiler, but a collection of compilers for different programming languages.

  • The GNU Project: It's a key part of the GNU project, which aims to create a complete, free operating system (GNU/Linux is a common example).

  • Languages Supported: GCC supports a wide range of programming languages, including:

    • C
    • C++
    • Objective-C
    • Fortran
    • Ada
    • Go
    • D
    • ...and more!

  • Key Features:

    • Portability: GCC can be compiled and run on a large number of different operating systems and processor architectures.
    • Optimization: GCC offers various optimization levels to improve the performance of compiled code. This includes techniques like loop unrolling, dead code elimination, and inlining functions.
    • Free and Open Source: GCC is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which means it's free to use, distribute, and modify.
    • Standard Compliance: GCC strives to adhere to relevant language standards (e.g., the ISO C++ standard).
    • Extensibility: GCC can be extended with plugins to add new features or customize its behavior.

  • How it Works: GCC takes source code written in a programming language and translates it into machine code that a computer can execute. The process typically involves:

    1. Preprocessing: Handling directives like #include and macro expansions.
    2. Compilation: Converting the preprocessed code into assembly language.
    3. Assembly: Translating the assembly language into object code (machine code that is not yet linked).
    4. Linking: Combining object code files and libraries into a single executable program.

  • Example:

    To compile a simple C program named hello.c using GCC, you would use the following command in a terminal:

    gcc hello.c -o hello

    This command compiles hello.c and creates an executable file named hello.

In summary, the GNU Compiler Collection is a powerful and versatile toolchain for compiling code in various programming languages, making it an essential component for software development across many platforms.

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