An Introduction to GCC

Many books teach the C and C++ languages, this book teaches you how to use the compiler itself. All the common problems and error messages encountered by new users of GCC are carefully explained, with numerous easy-to-follow "Hello World" examples.

Topics covered include: compiling C and C++ programs using header files and libraries, warning options, use of the preprocessor, static and dynamic linking, debugging, optimization, platform-specific options, profiling and coverage testing, paths and environment variables, and the C++ standard library and templates.

Features a special foreword by Richard M. Stallman, principal developer of GCC and founder of the GNU Project.

All the money raised from the sale of this book supports the development of free software and documentation.

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Full of good stuff to know, 2008-12-22
I've found personally that junior or hobbyist programmers/developers rely on the IDE to do much of the compilation work without really understanding what the compiler does or what it can do. Which is good because they can focus on programming, not mucking around with the tools to make the programs.

However when something goes wrong with the compilation process, or things need to be tweaked, a lot of these programmers would be hard pressed to fix or change the system. They also have a limited knowledge of all the useful features available to them. Reading this book would be a definite help.

I would recommend this to developers who wants to know more about the tools they use without going overly in-depth. It covers the compiler, and it's interaction with other tools like the linker, archiver, debugger and the preprocessor. It gives a basic look at optimization and some trouble shooting techniques as well.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

A 'no-nonsense', highly informative how-to for using GCC compiler, 2008-11-14
When I had to develop C/C++ code in a production environment in the GCC platform, I was highly confused about the usage of the compiler. I tried searching the web for resources only to go into a hollow dark spiral without getting any closer to clarity. I had resorted to hacking my way through for a while. Then I found this book on the net. This is the most clear explanation of using the GCC to compile C/C++ programs. It clearly explains you what is going on without getting into the real depths. At the same time it is not some superficial exposition. It tells you how and why. Also there are some good suggestions for debugging. Although this copy is on the Internet, I planned to buy and it keep it as a reference. This is a small book which has been very clearly written specifically to address the usage of GCC. It is an elaborate and lucid man page. I would highly recommend this book without any reservations.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

A good overview, 2008-04-26
This book is exactly what it says on the cover covering the basics of GCC.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent Intro to GCC, 2008-02-13
First-rate introduction to the gcc compiler typically found on Linux distributions. Anyone wanting to learn C or C++ will encounter gcc. The C text being used might say nothing about the essential compiler other than to assume that students have one and that they know how it works. Not likely so if they have no background in programming.

So Linux users, in particular, need to understand gcc and how it works. Gough writes very clearly and concisely and his order of topics is quite good. This little book might not be the last word on the GCC package but it certainly is the first one for any new student starting out. it is affordable, which is no small virtue for students, especially.

One suggestion: If you are going to buy this as part of an effort to learn C you will need a good text on the language for that purpose. And if you have not used a line/text editor, think hard about vi, which is on every Linux/Unix machine you might use. Arcane it is, but surprisingly efficient once you learn it. And you will need to learn something.

In summary: Excellent first choice text on the GCC compiler.


2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

nice intro to gcc, 2007-01-03
The book provides a detailed introduction to gcc compiler. After reading this book, compiling a source code and writing script files should not be a problem. Nice intro to using optimizer and other options of gcc

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