GCC compiler

The GCC compiler, originally known as the GNU C Compiler, is a free software compiler system produced by the GNU Project. It supports various programming languages, including C, C++, Objective-C, Fortran, Ada, Go, and D, enabling developers to translate source code into executable binaries for a…

Key facts

First appeared
1987
Category
technology
Problem solved
GCC was created to provide a high-quality, free (as in freedom) and portable compiler for C that could run on diverse hardware, eliminating reliance on expensive and proprietary compilers. This was a cornerstone for the GNU Project's vision of building a complete free operating system.
Platforms
BSD variants (FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD), Windows (via MinGW, Cygwin, Windows Subsystem for Linux), Solaris, HP-UX, macOS, Linux, Numerous embedded systems (ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, etc.), AIX

Related technologies

Notable users

  • Free Software Foundation
  • All major Linux distributions (e.g., Red Hat, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora)
  • Qualcomm
  • ARM Holdings
  • IBM
  • Google
  • Academic institutions for research and teaching
  • Linux Kernel Development Community