c89-gcc

c89-gcc [options] filename ...

filename
    The C source code file(s) to be compiled.

[options]
    Various options that are passed directly to the underlying gcc compiler. This includes optimization levels (e.g., -O2), debugging options (e.g., -g), include paths (e.g., -I/path/to/headers), and linker flags (e.g., -lmath).

c89-gcc is a command that invokes gcc (the GNU Compiler Collection) with specific flags to ensure compliance with the ANSI C (also known as ISO C or standard C) as defined in the C89/C90 standard. This helps ensure code portability and adherence to a well-defined standard.

Using c89-gcc enforces a stricter interpretation of the C language, catching potential issues that might be overlooked by a more permissive compiler setup. It primarily achieves this by enabling specific compiler flags that enforce standard-conforming behavior and disable extensions or features that are not part of the C89/C90 standard. This is useful for developers who need to create code that can be compiled with a variety of C compilers and on different platforms where the C89/C90 standard is supported.

c89-gcc is typically a shell script or a symbolic link that invokes gcc with the options '-ansi -pedantic'. The '-ansi' flag tells gcc to support only ANSI C, and the '-pedantic' flag causes gcc to issue warnings for any language constructs that do not conform to the standard.

Using 'c89-gcc' can improve code portability, especially if you are targeting systems where a fully compliant C89/C90 compiler is the only option. However, be aware that modern systems and compilers may not fully support C89 or C90. Careful testing is still required.

The 'c89-gcc' command emerged as a wrapper around gcc to facilitate easier compilation of C code adhering to the C89/C90 standard. As the C language evolved, and compilers began to offer extensions and non-standard features, commands like 'c89-gcc' became important for enforcing the older standard, primarily for projects where portability and strict adherence to the C89 standard were paramount. Its usage is less common now than in the past, as many modern compilers can be configured to conform to specific C standards via command-line flags directly.

gcc(1), cc(1)