GCC

Overview

GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) is the world's most widely used and oldest free and open-source compiler suite, and a cornerstone of the entire free software ecosystem. Initially compiling only C, it now supports over 20 languages including C, C++, Fortran, Ada, Go, Objective-C, D, Rust (plugin), and COBOL, covering almost all mainstream CPU architectures (x86_64, ARM, RISC-V, PowerPC, MIPS, AVR, RISC-V, etc.). Maintainers: GNU Project + Red Hat, IBM, Intel, ARM, Huawei, etc. Official website: https://gcc.gnu.org. License: GPL v3 + Runtime Library Exception (allows compiled programs to remain closed-source). Installation: Almost all Linux distributions include it by default; it can also be installed with one click on Android NDK, macOS (Homebrew), and Windows (MinGW-w64/Cygwin).

History and Development

• May 23, 1987: Richard Stallman released GCC 1.0 (the first public release, supporting only C),this is the first release date of GCC.
• 1988: Added the C++ frontend (g++).
• 1991: Added support for Fortran.
• 1997–1999: The EGCS branch was re-merged, becoming the starting point for modern GCC.
• 2001: Officially renamed GNU Compiler Collection.
• 2010–2020: Gradually added support for Go, C++11/14/17/20.
• 2022: RISC-V became an officially supported Tier 1 architecture.
• 2024: GCC 14 completed most of the C23 support.
• August 14, 2025: GCC 15.2 released, making C23 the default standard for the first time, with C++23 100% complete.
• Current Status: Running for 38 years, still maintaining a major release cycle every year.

Key Features

1. Full support for C23 and its default standard (-std=c23).
2. 100% implementation of C++23 (including std::mdspan, std::flat_map, ranges optimization, and coroutines enhancement).
3. Full support for Fortran 2018 + partial support for Fortran 2023.
4. Full support for RISC-V Vector 1.0 and Zve32x/64x.
5. Full optimization for AMD Zen 5 (AVX10.1, APX, AVX-VNNI) and Intel AVX10.
6. Significant enhancements to OpenMP 5.2 and OpenACC 3.3.
7. Faster LTO (link-time optimization) and PGO (performance-based optimization).
8. Continuously improving the static analyzer, fanalyzer.
9. Supports over 100 target architectures (from 8-bit AVRs to supercomputers).

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Number one globally in terms of supported languages and platforms (especially embedded systems, RISC-V, and legacy architectures).
• Compiles typically faster than Clang.
• Deeply integrated with toolchains such as GNU binutils and glibc.
• Completely free + Runtime Exception handling, safe for use in commercial closed-source projects.
• Default choice for Linux distributions, Android NDK, and embedded firmware.

Limitations

• Generated code can be 5–15% slower than the latest Clang in some high-load x86_64 scenarios.
• C++ module support lags behind Clang by 1–2 years.
• Static analysis capabilities are inferior to Clang Static Analyzer.
• Debug information (-g) is larger than Clang's.
• In the Apple ecosystem (macOS/iOS), it has been completely superseded by Clang.

Summary

GCC, since its inception in 1987, has been one of the most successful and longest-lived open-source compilers in history. GCC 15.2 in 2025 implemented full C23 and C++23 support, continuing its absolute dominance in Linux distributions, the RISC-V ecosystem, embedded devices, supercomputers, Android NDK, and other fields. For any developer who needs to compile C/C++/Fortran/Go/Rust on Ubuntu, Cygwin, Raspberry Pi, servers, or embedded devices, GCC remains the "default and most reliable" choice. In short: If you are using Linux, RISC-V, or embedded devices, you are most likely using code compiled with GCC, either directly or indirectly.