GCC

The GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) is an integrated distribution of compilers for C, C++, Objective-C, Java, Fortran, and Ada.

The language-independent component of GCC includes the majority of the optimizers, as well as the "back ends" that generate machine code for various processors. The part of a compiler that is specific to a particular language is called the "front end". In addition to the front ends that are integrated components of GCC, several other front ends that are maintained separately support languages such as Pascal, Mercury, and COBOL.

Most of the compilers for languages other than C have their own names. They may be referred to by their own name, or as GCC. Either is correct:

• The Fortran compiler is g77.
• The C++ compiler is g++.