[An Introduction to GCC 学习笔记] 02 GCC的特点

GCC特点

• GCC is a portable compiler - it runs on most platforms available today, and can produce output for many types of processors. In addition to the processors used in personal computers, it also supports microcontrollers, DSPs and 64 bit CPUs
• GCC is not only a native compiler - it can also cross-compile any program, producing executable files for a different system from the one used by GCC itself. This allows software to be compiled for embedded systems which are not capable of running a compiler. GCC is written in C with a strong focus on portability, and can compile itself, so it can be adapted to new system easily.
• Most importantly, GCC is free software, distributed under the GNU General Public License(GNU GPL). This means you have the freedom to use and to modify GCC, as with all GNU software. If you need support for a new fype of CPU, a new language, or a new feature you can add it yourself, or hire someone to enhance GCC for you. You can hire someone to fix a bug if it is important for your work.
• Furthermore, you have the freedom to share any enhancements you make to GCC. As a result of this freedom you can also make use of enhancements to GCC developmented by others. The many features offered by GCC today show how this freedom to cooperate works to benefit you, and everyone else who uses GCC.

C/C++特点

• C and C++ are languages that allow direct access to the computer’s
  memory. Historyically, they have been used for writing low-level
  systems software and applications where high-performance or control
  over resource usage are critical.

• However, great care is required to ensure that memory is accessed
  correctly, to avoid corrupting other data-structures. We will give
  you some techniques and tips that will help in detecting potential
  errors during compilation, but the rist in using language like C
  or C++ can never be eliminated.

• C programming is a craft that takes years to perfect. A reasonably
  sharp person can learn the basics of C quite quickly. But it takes
  much longer to master the nuances of the language and to write enough
  programs, and enough.

• 如果你热爱编程，那就热爱C吧；

• 如果你热爱C，那就热爱指针吧；

• 如果你热爱指针，那么请你热爱指针的指针。