The GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) is one of the most widely used compilers for C and C++ development. Over the years, GCC has evolved to support a range of C++ standards, from older versions (like C++98) to the latest (C++20). The GCC version you use determines which versions of C++ are supported, along with the specific features and optimizations available.
Here’s an overview of GCC versions and their support for different C++ standards:
Table of Contents
GCC Version and Supported C++ Standards:
| GCC Version | C++ Standard Support | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| GCC 4.3 | C++98, C++03 | 2008 |
| GCC 4.4 | C++98, C++03, C++0x (Partial) | 2009 |
| GCC 4.5 | C++98, C++03, C++0x (Partial) | 2010 |
| GCC 4.6 | C++98, C++03, C++0x (Partial) | 2011 |
| GCC 4.7 | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full) | 2012 |
| GCC 4.8 | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Partial) | 2013 |
| GCC 4.9 | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full) | 2014 |
| GCC 5.1 | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full), C++17 (Partial) | 2015 |
| GCC 6.x | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full), C++17 (Partial) | 2016 |
| GCC 7.x | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full), C++17 (Full) | 2017 |
| GCC 8.x | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full), C++17 (Full), C++20 (Partial) | 2018 |
| GCC 9.x | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full), C++17 (Full), C++20 (Partial) | 2019 |
| GCC 10.x | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full), C++17 (Full), C++20 (Full) | 2020 |
| GCC 11.x | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full), C++17 (Full), C++20 (Full) | 2021 |
| GCC 12.x | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full), C++17 (Full), C++20 (Full), C++23 (Partial) | 2022 |
| GCC 13.x | C++98, C++03, C++11 (Full), C++14 (Full), C++17 (Full), C++20 (Full), C++23 (Full) | 2023 (Planned) |
Explanation of GCC’s C++ Standard Support:
- C++98: The original ISO C++ Standard (also called C++98) was released in 1998. GCC 4.x versions support this, providing the basic set of features for C++ programming.
- C++03: This was a bug-fix release to the C++98 standard, published in 2003. GCC 4.x versions support it alongside C++98.
- C++11: This version introduced major language features like auto, nullptr, lambda expressions, and smart pointers. GCC 4.7 provided full support for C++11.
- GCC 4.7+: Full support for C++11.
- C++14: The C++14 standard, which was a bug-fix release for C++11 and added a few features like user-defined literals, improved lambda expressions, and constexpr. GCC 4.8 added partial support and full support was achieved in GCC 4.9.
- GCC 4.9+: Full support for C++14.
- C++17: With C++17, new features like if constexpr, structured bindings, inline variables, and filesystem support were added. Full support was available in GCC 7.1.
- GCC 7.1+: Full support for C++17.
- C++20: C++20 introduced many new features like concepts, ranges, coroutines, calendar and timezone library, and modules (still experimental). GCC 8.x provided partial support, with full support starting from GCC 10.
- GCC 10.1+: Full support for C++20.
- C++23: The C++23 standard is the latest version (planned for full support starting from GCC 13.x). It includes updates and bug fixes over C++20, with some new features that are gradually being supported.
- GCC 12.x: Partial support for C++23.
- GCC 13.x: Full support for C++23 (expected).
GCC Version-Specific Features:
- GCC 4.x: Provided essential features for C++11, but with limited support for later standards like C++14 and C++17.
- GCC 5.x: Added support for C++14 and started partial support for C++17.
- GCC 6.x: Continued support for C++14 and C++17 features.
- GCC 7.x: Full support for C++17, improved diagnostics, and performance optimizations.
- GCC 8.x: Partial support for C++20, with features like concepts and ranges being introduced experimentally.
- GCC 9.x: Continued work on C++20 with better implementation.
- GCC 10.x: Full C++20 support, including concepts and coroutines.
- GCC 11.x: Further improved support for C++20 features and new optimizations.
- GCC 12.x: Partial support for C++23 (latest standard), with significant updates to language features.
Conclusion:
- GCC 10 and later provide full support for C++20, and GCC 12 and later offer partial support for C++23.
- For older projects or systems, GCC 7.x and GCC 8.x are good choices for full support of C++17 and C++14, respectively.
- Always choose a GCC version that aligns with the C++ standard features you need for your project. To take advantage of the latest C++ features (C++20 and beyond), you should use GCC 10 or later.