Why Does My C Code Compile with GCC but Produce Linker Errors?

Compiling C Programs with GCC: Understanding Compiler Differences

When compiling a C program, you may have encountered errors like undefined symbols or linker errors despite using GCC, leading you to question its compatibility. However, GCC can indeed compile C code, and the errors you experienced are related to linking, not compilation.

Understanding the Compilation Process

Compiling a C program involves two steps: preprocessing and linking. Preprocessing transforms the code into an assembly-like language, which is then linked with the necessary libraries to create an executable.

Addressing Linking Errors

The linker errors you received indicate that the standard C library is not included in the linking process. To resolve this, add the -lstdc option to your compilation command, which links the program against this library.

GCC vs. G

While GCC can compile C code, it treats .c files as C code and links against the standard C library by default. G , on the other hand, handles both .c and .cc files as C code and includes the standard C library (libstdc ) in its linking step.

Best Practice

To streamline the compilation process and avoid potential errors, it is recommended to use G for compiling C programs. This compiler is optimized for C code and automatically includes the necessary libraries.

In summary, GCC can indeed compile C code, but linking errors may occur if the standard C library is not included. Using G is a simple and efficient way to compile C programs.

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