GCC
GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) is a free and open-source compiler system developed by the GNU Project, primarily used to compile C, C++, Objective-C, Fortran, Ada, and other programming languages into executable code for various hardware architectures. It translates source code written in high-level languages into machine code, performing optimizations to improve performance and generate efficient binaries. GCC is a key component in many development toolchains, especially on Unix-like systems such as Linux and macOS.
Developers should learn and use GCC when working on cross-platform software development, embedded systems, or open-source projects that require a robust, standards-compliant compiler with extensive optimization capabilities. It is essential for compiling low-level system software, kernel modules, and applications where performance and portability are critical, such as in scientific computing, game development, and operating system builds.