gdc

Compile D file

$ gdc [source.d] -o [output]

$ gdc -O2 [source.d] -o [output]

$ gdc -g [source.d] -o [output]

$ gdc -c [source.d]

$ gdc [source.d] -l[library] -o [output]

gdc [options] files...

gdc is the GNU D Compiler, providing a D programming language frontend for the GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) backend. It compiles D source code to native machine code using GCC's proven optimization infrastructure and code generation capabilities.
The compiler supports the D2 language specification, including modern features like compile-time function execution (CTFE), mixins, templates, and garbage collection. As a GCC frontend, gdc integrates seamlessly with the GNU toolchain, accepting familiar GCC flags for optimization levels, debugging, linking, and cross-compilation.
gdc benefits from GCC's extensive platform support, making D code portable across architectures that GCC supports. It leverages GCC's mature optimization passes, often producing highly efficient native code. The compiler can interoperate with C and C++ code through D's foreign function interface capabilities.
While the reference D compiler (DMD) typically implements new language features first, gdc provides broader platform support and benefits from GCC's optimization technology. It's a solid choice for D development when maximum portability, GCC ecosystem integration, or specific optimization characteristics are priorities.

FILES

D source files to compile.

Output filename.

Compile only, no linking.

Generate debug information.

Optimization level (0-3).

Import path.

Linker flag.

Display help information.

May lag behind reference DMD compiler. Some D features may differ. GCC version dependencies.

gdc was developed to bring the D programming language to GCC, providing an alternative to the reference DMD compiler with broader platform support.

gcc(1), dmd(1), ldc2(1)