Sorry for misunderstandings. I'm looking for a solution to the problem. I am not trying to debate the question, just looking for an answer.

Simple programs people. No 16GB memory, just simple, non-gui based programs.

Compile in 32-bit with static libs
The problems of doing this can be debated for eternity, but first you should determine if there's even a problem to begin with. If not, then carry on.

Then make sure you are using a standard-compliant C++ compiler and make sure in the programs you use only standard C++ library - its contents and behavior are mandated by the C++ standard and thus is computer-independent.

That ensures that the source code is computer-independent, but not that the compiled binary is computer-independent.

Correct - but, as stated earlier. different operating systems have different libraries and different executable file formats.

Yes, static linking is the way, but, again, as stated earlier, it is not in practice always possible; also in practice sometimes part of the program remains dynamically linked.

Yes, sometimes a statically linked executable still won't run on a user's distro, and sometimes a program is so convoluted that compiling it with static libs isn't possible, but shouldn't we wait to see if that's even a problem for the OP before dismissing it outright? He's not looking for a way to compile any program so that it can run on any OS, he's looking for a way to compile one specific program so that it can run on his computer and his friend's computer (also running Linux). That's it. It doesn't need to be any more complicated than that. If it's a relatively simple program (which he has stated it is) and both machines are running relatively modern OSs (released in the last 5 years), then I see no reason why compiling with static libs and in 32-bit (if necessary) won't solve his problem.

Then both the OP and the friend should install g++ and compile from source. That's it.

lol, an engineer's reply

Being an engineer myself I appreciate the irony, and I could see myself giving the exact same answer to a similar question in another situation, but it sounds like the OP is looking for a single executable he can give to his friend to run.

I have several pieces of software under my control that are used to interface with proprietary hardware, that need to be distributed to customers running any number of Linux setups. Obviously offering the source with a makefile they can use to build it for their system would be ideal, but it's not an option since the source code is controlled. Building it with static libs in 32-bit and distributing the resulting binary covers 99% of the use-cases, and I deal with the exceptions on an individual basis (of which there have been exactly zero).

Deviating from the OP's question - you can distribute assembly produced by gcc/g++. Binary can be disassembled anyway, so you retain the same level of control, but let your customers link locally.

perhaps then the best option would be to cross compile the source for your target, this can be done as well.

Oh, by the way, there is now LLVM-based technology translating C/C++ into JavaScript.

THANK YOU! Finally someone understands! Honestly, going to far with a question is the problem here. I did not want him to have to run compilations, mainly because he now has my source-code. The static options worked for my situation, it may not work for other programs though, this works for now, yes, IT DOES WORK. That's all, marking as solved.