Textbook of Linux

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GCC

The GNU Compiler Collection.

The GNU Compiler Collection compiles programs in C, C++, Objective- C, Fortran, Ada, Go, D, and several other languages, targeting dozens of processor architectures (x86, x86-64, ARM, AArch64, RISC-V, PowerPC, SPARC, MIPS, s390x, m68k, and more) plus several embedded and exotic targets. A single source file can be compiled to a stand-alone executable, an object file linked into a larger build, or an LTO-friendly intermediate representation that allows whole-program optimisation across compilation units.

Richard Stallman started GCC in 1987 as a free C compiler for the GNU project, when proprietary Unix vendors were charging substantial licence fees for theirs. By the late 1990s GCC's quality of code generation, breadth of language support, and target portability had made it the dominant Unix compiler. The project is governed by an elected steering committee under the umbrella of the Free Software Foundation; releases follow a predictable annual cadence.

GCC remains foundational to the Linux ecosystem: the kernel and the vast majority of distribution packages are still built with it, the GNU C Library (glibc) is co-developed alongside GCC, and many other system components rely on its specific extensions and diagnostic options. The arrival of LLVM/Clang as a competing free C/C++ toolchain has been good for both: Clang's faster compile times and clearer diagnostics pushed GCC to improve those areas, and GCC's superior optimisation on some targets keeps Clang focused on closing the gap.

Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install build-essential
Fedora/RHEL:   sudo dnf install gcc gcc-c++ make
Arch:          sudo pacman -S base-devel
macOS:         GCC ships in Xcode Command Line Tools (xcode-select --install)