gcc vs g++ vs gpp ?

cpthk · 09-03-2009, 01:15 AM

Hi:

I used to do programming in linux, but it was a long time ago. I remember I used to have this kind of command:

Code:

gcc test.cpp

I just tried today, and it doesn't work. It output many unreadable error. I searched a bit, it seems I have to use:

Code:

g++ test.cpp

Is it because the command name changed? What's the difference between gcc, g++, and gpp ?

Thanks.

Nylex · 09-03-2009, 01:18 AM

gcc is for compiling C programs, g++ for C++ ones. g++ links the C++ standard library for one thing (it probably does other things too, but I don't know), while gcc does not. Not sure what gpp is. Perhaps you mean cpp, the C preprocessor? It deals with preprocessor directives (e.g. #include, #define, etc). man cpp for more info.

cpthk · 09-03-2009, 06:48 PM

Thanks for your reply. There is gpp, too. I could do install gpp on my end.

joeBuffer · 09-03-2009, 08:13 PM

As far as I know, c++ is the same as g++. I could be wrong.
I've never seen g++ used as gpp, personally... Also, I have g++ installed (I installed the build-essential package), and I get the following output:

Code:

joebuffer@ubuntu:~$ g++ --version
g++ (Ubuntu 4.3.3-5ubuntu4) 4.3.3
Copyright (C) 2008 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO
warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

joebuffer@ubuntu:~$ c++ --version
c++ (Ubuntu 4.3.3-5ubuntu4) 4.3.3
Copyright (C) 2008 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO
warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

joebuffer@ubuntu:~$ gpp --version
The program 'gpp' is currently not installed.  You can install it by typing:
sudo apt-get install gpp
bash: gpp: command not found

When comparing the c++ and g++ files:

Code:

joebuffer@ubuntu:~$ cmp -l /usr/bin/g++ /usr/bin/c++
joebuffer@ubuntu:~$

---
gcc is the C compiler, and gpp I've never seen used in any examples or anything. Everything I've read uses g++, basically all the examples I've seen use g++. It's pretty much standard.

Nylex · 09-04-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpthk

Thanks for your reply. There is gpp, too. I could do install gpp on my end.

Read the description of it then. I've never heard of a "gpp".

Edit: I've found a gpp - general purpose preprocessor: http://en.nothingisreal.com/wiki/GPP...arwinports.com. It's not a compiler, it's a preprocessor.