Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 584 pages
- Published by: Apress
- Edition: 2nd Edition August 11, 2006
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 1590595858
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-1590595855
-
Book Dimensions:
9.1 x 7 x 1.4 inches
- Weighs: 2 pounds
Product Description
The GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) offers a variety of compilers for different
programming languages including C, C++, Java, Fortran, and Ada.
The Definitive Guide to GCC, Second Edition has been revised to reflect the changes made in the most recent major GCC release, version 4. Providing in-depth information on GCC's enormous array of features and options, and introducing crucial tools such as autoconf, gprof, and libtool, this book functions as both a guide and reference.
This book goes well beyond a general introduction to GCC and covers key programming techniques such as profiling and optimization that, when used in conjunction with GCCs advanced features, can greatly improve application performance. This second edition will prove to be an invaluable resource, whether youre a student seeking familiarity with this crucial tool or an expert who uses GCC on a daily basis.
About The Author
William von Hagen holds degrees in computer science, English writing, and art history. William has worked with UNIX systems since 1982, during which time he has been a system administrator, systems programmer,
software developer, development manager, computing facilities operations manager, writer, documentation manager, and (now) content manager. William has written a number of books, including
Linux Filesystems,
Installing Red Hat Linux 7, and
SGML For Dummies, and he contributed to writing
Red Hat 7 Unleashed. Most recently, Hagen coauthored
Mac OS X Power User's Guide with Brian Proffitt. William has written articles and
software reviews for publications including
Linux Magazine,
Linux Format (UK),
Maximum Linux,
Mac Tech Magazine,
Mac Home Magazine, and
Mac Directory, and he has written extensive online material for CMP Media, Linux Planet, and Corel.
Reader Reviews
This review is from: The Definitive Guide to GCC (Paperback)
To some of us, gcc is an old friend. It has been around since the 80s. Predating linux, and from a time when free open source code was something weird. Gcc is a collection of compilers, and if you have a linux machine, gcc appears on it by default. But if gcc is free, why do you need this book? Well, the authors discovered a curious omission in the computing marketplace. There does not seem to be any other book in print, devoted to gcc. Other programming books, if they refer to gcc, do so only briefly. You might then ask, "can't I just use the accompanying documentation?" Yes, but that documentation is geared towards the experienced gcc user. It is terse at the best of times, and portions can be opaque. Wall and Hagen point out that this lack of understandable documentation often turns users off gcc. They end up never using many of the powerful features added to it by experienced designers over the years. You should exploit their efforts, via this book. It explains at length the innumerable compiler options that most users never try. After reading this book, you do not have to shy away by using simple Makefiles. You can get enough understanding to actually build more powerful Makefiles; that use more fully gcc's potential. The book also treats affiliated programs. Like gcov for doing test coverage analysis. Or libtool, to make libraries. The heft of the book also answers a possible objection to the authors' efforts. That is, is there really enough to discuss to warrant an entire book? Indeed there is. Between the detailed discussion and a plentitude of examples, you might gain some appreciation of why the standard gcc documentation has been fleshed out here.