An incomplete list of C++ compilers

I (Bjarne Stroustrup) am often asked to recommend a C++ compiler. However, I don't make recommendations; that would be too much like taking sides in commercial wars. Also, I don't know every C++ compiler; there are simply too many "out there". I use half-a-dozen C++ compilers on a regular basis, but that's only scratching the surface.

I recommend that people take Standard conformance very seriously when considering a compiler. If you can, avoid any compiler that doesn't closely approximate the ISO standard or fails to supply a solid implementation of the standard library. The recent releases from all the major C++ vendors do that.

If you are a novice and don't know how to see if a compiler is conformant, try this:

	#include<iostream>
	#include<string>

	using namespace std;

	int main()
	{
		string s;
		cout << "Please enter your first name followed by a newline\n";
		cin >> s;
		cout << "Hello, " << s << '\n';
		return 0; // this return statement isn't necessary
	}

If an implementation cannot handle this simple program as written, it is not a good candidate for learning Standard C++ (if you cut and paste, beware of html for "less than" in the #include directives).

To get an idea of current conformance, have a look at boost.org's compiler status page. Conformance is just one aspect of a compiler's quality (quality of generated code, error messages, compile speed, integration with tools, degree of support, and backward compatibility are examples of other important aspects), but conformance is an important one. Use of a supplier's language extensions and non-standard-conforming features limits the portability of your code and can prevent you from choosing a new implementation supplier.

Most of these compilers are embedded in frameworks of software development tools and libraries. These frameworks, environments, and libraries can be most helpful, but do remember that their use can lock you into a single vendor and that some uses have significant run-time performance implications.

When looking for C++ on the web, you find that much of the information is "hidden" under various product names. In fact, I had more luck finding C++ compilers using google.com than by going directly to vendors that I knew sold them. Here, I have chosen to list C++ implementations simply by the name of their provider, ignoring marketing labels.

Some compilers that can be downloaded for free (do check their conditions/licenses before attempting commercial use):

• Apple C++. It also comes with OS X on the developer tools CD.
• Bloodshed Dev-C++. A GCC-based (Mingw) IDE.
• Borland C++
• Cygwin (GNU C++)
• Digital Mars C++
• MINGW - "Minimalist GNU for Windows". Another GCC version for Windows including a free (non-GPL) w32api.
• DJ Delorie's C++ development system for DOS/Windows (GNU C++)
• GNU CC source
• IBM C++ for IBM power, System Z, Bluegene, and Cell.
• Intel C++ for non-commercial development
• The LLVM Compiler Infrastructure (based on GCC).
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express edition.
• Sun Studio.

Some compilers that require payment (some allow free downloads for trial periods):

• Borland C++
• CodeWarrior C++ (formerly Metrowerks), it comes for many platforms.
• Comeau C++ for many platforms
• Edison Design Group C++ Front End - used by many C++ compiler suppliers
• Green Hills C++ for many embedded systems platforms
• HP C++ for Unix and HP C++ for OpenVMS.
• Intel C++ for Windows, Linux, and some embedded systems.
• Mentor Graphics/Microtec Research C++ for many embedded systems platforms
• Microsoft C++
• Paradigm C++, for x86 embedded systems
• The Portland Group C++ (parallization for Pentiums)
• SGI C++, optimizing compiler
• Sun C++
• WindRiver's Diab C++ used in many embedded systems.

It is impossible for me to keep this list complete and up-to-date. The C++ world is just too large and too much new is happening. Apologies to those suppliers who I failed to list, I know there are some, and please, if you have a link that you think ought to be listed here, send me a message: bs at research.att.com. Again: I just list compilers, I don't endorse them. Also, there can be no one compiler that is best for everyone, people's needs differ too much for that.

Other lists of C++ compilers:

• The open directory project.
• Compilers.net: A list of free C and C++ compilers.

A filter to improve error messages from many compilers see STLfilt.