C/C++ Installation and Practical Usage Guide for Linux

Linux, a versatile and powerful operating system, offers an ideal environment for programming and, of course, for many other things. However, for newcomers transitioning from Windows to Linux, the installation of C/C++ tools can pose significant challenges.

Installing C/C++ development tools typically involves installing a compiler, such as GNU (GNU Compiler Collection), and related libraries such as make, libc-dev, dpkg-dev, etc.

The process may vary slightly depending on the Linux distribution you are using, but fear not, for this guide will teach you how to install the C/C++ compiler in Linux, complete with helpful examples.

Tutorial Details

What is a Compiler?

In a nutshell, the compiler is specialized software that takes human-readable source code (written in C, C++, Java, etc.) and translates it into machine-readable code, also known as object code or machine code.

The CPU is capable of directly executing the translated code. Overall, the main purpose of a compiler is to help programmers write code in a more human-friendly manner while generating efficient and optimized machine code that can run on specific computer systems.

How to Install the C/C++ Compiler and Libraries in Linux

The following are some general steps to install C/C++ development tools and libraries on major Linux distributions:

• How to Install Development Tools on Linux (Ultimate Guide)

Installing the C/C++ Compiler and Libraries on a Debian or Ubuntu System

For Debian/Ubuntu-based distributions, you can use the distribution’s default APT package manager to install the C/C++ compiler and related libraries:

$ sudo apt update && sudo apt install build-essential -y

Installing the C/C++ Compiler and Libraries on a Red Hat or Fedora System

For Red Hat/Fedora-based distributions, use the DNF or YUM package manager to install the C/C++ compiler and related libraries:

$ sudo dnf install gcc-c++ -y

#OR

$ sudo yum groupinstall "Development Tools" -y

Installing the C/C++ Compiler and Libraries in an Arch or Manjaro System

In Arch Linux and its derivatives (like Manjaro), you can install the C/C++ development tools and libraries by using the Pacman package manager:

$ sudo pacman -Sy base-devel

Verify the Installation

After the installation is successfully completed, verify that GCC (the C compiler) and G++ (the C++ compiler) are installed by running the following commands:

$ gcc --version
$ g++ --version

Output:

• Getting Started with C# Programming on Linux

Testing C/C++ with Sample Programs

Running a C/C++ program requires the process of compiling and then running the compiled program. The following steps are involved and should be followed:

1. Write the Code: Create a new file with the “.c” extension for C programs or the “.cpp” extension for C++ programs to write your code (or paste the following respective code examples into this file).

2. Save the File: After finishing or pasting the sample code, save your file with an appropriate name, such as “hello.c” for the C program or “hello.cpp” for the C++ program.

3. Open the Terminal: Open a terminal in the same directory where your C/C++ program files are located.

4. Compile the Code: Use one of the following commands based on the requirement to compile a C/C++ program:

• How to Reduce the C/C++ Compiled Output File Using the Strip Command

$ gcc -o hello hello.c                                                                                                #For C programs
$ g++ -o hello hello.cpp                                                                                          #For C++ programs

The “-o” flag is used to specify the output filename of the compiled executable. In this case, we name it “hello“, but you can choose another name if you prefer.

5. Run the Program: Lastly, execute the compiled file using the output filename followed by “./” syntax in Linux.

$ ./hello

After executing the above command, you will see the output of the program displayed on the terminal.

C/C++ Sample Programs

The following are some simple examples of C/C++ programs:

#C Example: Hello World

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    printf("Hello, LinuxTLDR!\n");
    return 0;
}

Output:

#C++ Example: Hello World

#include <iostream>

int main() {
    std::cout << "Hello, LinuxTLDR!" << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

Output:

#C Example: Addition of Two Numbers

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int num1, num2, sum;

    printf("Enter two numbers: ");
    scanf("%d %d", &num1, &num2);

    sum = num1 + num2;
    printf("Sum: %d\n", sum);

    return 0;
}

Output:

#C++ Example: Addition of Two Numbers

#include <iostream>

int main() {
    int num1, num2, sum;

    std::cout << "Enter two numbers: ";
    std::cin >> num1 >> num2;

    sum = num1 + num2;
    std::cout << "Sum: " << sum << std::endl;

    return 0;
}

Output:

Important GCC/G++ Options

The compilation of C/C++ programs can be done by following the standard method mentioned earlier.

But using the extra options while compiling will allow you to control the compilation process, enable specific features, and optimize the resulting binary.

The following are some important GCC (for the C Program) options:

The following are some important G++ (for the C++ Program) options:

Final Word

I hope this article will be useful for you. If something is missing or you have any recommendations for modification, then feel free to tell us in the comment section.

Till then, peace!