GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) and CC (C Compiler) are two of the most commonly-used compilers for compiled languages. While both are compilers for languages like C, C++ and Java, there are some differences between GCC and CC that need to be explored.
1. Main Functionalities
GCC is mainly a compiler used for compiling code written in the C and C++ programming languages, while CC is mainly a compiler used for compiling code written in the C programming language. GCC is considered more of a general-purpose compiler as it can compile code written in many different programming languages, like Objective-C, Fortran and Ada, while CC is mainly limited to C code.
Both compilers have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of compiling code written in different languages. For example, GCC is more flexible and may be the best choice for compiling code written in multiple languages, while CC is generally easier to understand and debug and thus is the best choice for compiling code written in just C.
2. Compilation Process
GCC and CC both use different algorithms when compiling code, which determine the output of the compiled code. GCC provides a more optimized code output, meaning the program will run faster and more efficiently, while CC is more focused on providing better code readability and maintainability.
The optimization level for GCC is determined by the user, which allows for customization based on the desired output. CC does not provide this level of control and thus is often used for projects that need to be maintained and debugged, such as writing code for embedded systems.
3. Supported Operating Systems
GCC is mainly a cross-platform compiler, which means it can be used to create programs that can be used in multiple operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, Solaris and Mac OS X. On the other hand, CC is mainly designed to be used in the Unix operating system, though it can be used with Microsoft Windows.
This means that removing any operating system-specific code from a program written for Unix and recompiling it in GCC will make it run on multiple operating systems, while doing the same with CC would require porting the code to the different platforms.
4. Binaries and Libraries
GCC produces binaries for multiple platforms, while CC produces binaries for the Unix operating system. This means that programs compiled with GCC can run on multiple operating systems, while programs compiled with CC will generally run only on the Unix operating system.
In terms of libraries, GCC supports the GNU C Library (Glibc), while CC supports the traditional Unix C Library (Uclibc). This is important because libraries are a key component of programming, as they provide pre-written code that can be used as a starting point.
5. Debugging and Profiling
GCC provides a powerful debugging feature called gdb, which is a source-level debugger that helps users find and fix coding errors. It also provides additional features such as profiling, which gives users the ability to track execution time and memory usage of their programs. On the other hand, CC does not provide such features.
In terms of profiling, GCC can be used to monitor the execution time and memory usage of a program as it runs, giving users insight into how their code is behaving. On the other hand, CC does not provide this kind of functionality.
6. Platform Support
GCC is available on multiple platforms, such as Windows, Linux, Solaris and Mac OS X, while CC is mostly used on the Unix platform. This means that if users need to compile code for multiple platforms, GCC is the better choice.
In addition, GCC can also compile code for other platforms, such as embedded systems, while CC is limited to the Unix platform.
7. Price
GCC is free software, meaning it can be downloaded, used and modified free of charge. On the other hand, CC is owned by AT&T and is not free, though it is available for a fee.
The cost of GCC is also affected by the platform on which it is used, as it is available on multiple platforms. On the other hand, CC is only available on the Unix platform and thus the price may vary depending on the edition of the Unix operating system.
8. User Interface
GCC has a command-line user interface that may be intimidating to new users. On the other hand, CC has a simple graphical user interface and is designed to be easier to understand.
GCC also has a variety of options and flags that can be used to customize the compilation process and get better performance, while the interface for CC is more basic and does not provide such levels of customization.
9. Language Support
GCC supports many languages, including C and C++, as well as other languages like Java, Fortran, Ada, and Objective-C. On the other hand, CC is focused on C language and does not support other languages.
This means that if a project needs to be compiled for multiple programming languages, then GCC is the best option. On the other hand, if the project is limited to just the C language, then CC may be the better choice.
10. Documentation
GCC is well-documented and has been around for many years, while CC is relatively new and thus has less documentation. In addition, GCC has many online tutorials and guides to help users understand and use the compiler, while CC has limited resources.
The documentation for GCC is also more comprehensive, with more detailed explanations of concepts and features. In addition, there are a number of third-party tools available for GCC that provide additional features and options.
Summary
GCC and CC are two of the most popular compilers for compiled languages. Both compilers provide different advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type of language that is being compiled and the target platform. GCC is a more general-purpose compiler that can compile code written in a number of different languages and can produce binaries for multiple operating systems, while CC is mainly limited to compiling just C code and producing binaries for the Unix operating system.
