c++
Compile C++ source code into executables
TLDR
Compile C++ program
SYNOPSIS
c++ [options] file...
DESCRIPTION
c++ is typically a symlink to the system's C++ compiler (g++ or clang++). It compiles C++ source code into executable programs or object files, handling preprocessing, compilation, and linking.
The command provides access to the C++ compiler with standard naming convention.
PARAMETERS
-o file
Output file name-c
Compile without linking-g
Include debug information-O[level]
Optimization level (0, 1, 2, 3, s)-std=standard
C++ standard (c++11, c++14, c++17, c++20, c++23)-Wall
Enable all warnings-Werror
Treat warnings as errors-I dir
Add include directory-L dir
Add library directory-l lib
Link library
C++ STANDARDS
- c++98 / c++03 - Classic C++
- c++11 - Modern C++ (auto, lambdas, etc.)
- c++14 - Minor improvements
- c++17 - Major update (filesystem, etc.)
- c++20 - Concepts, ranges, modules
- c++23 - Latest standard
WORKFLOW
c++ hello.cpp -o hello
# Modern C++ with warnings
c++ -std=c++20 -Wall -Wextra program.cpp -o program
# Optimized release build
c++ -std=c++17 -O3 -DNDEBUG program.cpp -o program
# Debug build
c++ -std=c++17 -g -O0 program.cpp -o program
# Link with libraries
c++ program.cpp -o program -lpthread -lm
# Multiple source files
c++ main.cpp utils.cpp -o program
CAVEATS
Actual compiler depends on system (g++, clang++, etc.). Behavior may vary between compilers. C++ compilation slower than C. Template errors can be cryptic. ABI compatibility between compiler versions.
HISTORY
The c++ command name has been a standard convention since C++ compilers became common in the 1980s, typically symlinking to the system's C++ compiler.