For developing and compiling C++ source code, there are numerous solutions available for every platform, both open source and commercial. In this article, we analyze the most commonly available tools, with particular focus on free options and compiler support for various versions of the C++ standard library.
C++ Compilers
Many free C++ compilers exist across platforms, differentiated by performance, optimization levels, and language standard support. Microsoft Visual C++ Build Tools (available since 2015) offers integrated development options for Windows, while on Unix systems, the G++ compiler from the GCC suite remains the reference tool.
Command-Line Compilation in Unix Environments
Basic compilation with G++ is straightforward. To compile a single source file, use the following command:
g++ main.cpp -o testTo compile multiple files at once:
g++ *.cpp -o testIn these commands, main.cpp contains the source code, and the -o <name> option specifies the executable filename (the default is a.out). Linux distributions provide useful meta-packages: build-essential for Debian-based systems and development tool groups for RPM-based distributions. While the G++ compiler handles command-line compilation, modern IDEs typically automate this process.
The C++ Standard Library
The C++ standard has evolved significantly over the years. C++98 was the first ISO version, followed by C++03 with corrections and refinements. C++11 introduced notable semantic improvements, C++14 added further developments, and C++17 continued this constant evolution of the language.
Standard support varies among compilers. GCC supports C++11 from version 4.8.1 and C++14 from 5.1. Clang offers C++11 support from 3.3 and C++14 from 3.4. Microsoft's MSVC++ partially supports C++11 from version 2012 and C++14 from 2013. Newer compiler versions generally align with the latest standards, but backward compatibility may require using older versions. Incompatible standards generate cryptic compilation errors that can be difficult to interpret.
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