How to Use GCC to Compile a C Program on Linux and Windows

Compiling a C program is an essential step in the software development process. GCC, the GNU Compiler Collection, is a powerful tool that can be used to compile C programs on both Linux and Windows.

Compiling a C Program on Linux

To compile a C program on Linux using GCC, follow these steps:

  1. Open your terminal.
  2. Navigate to the directory containing your C program using the cd command.
  3. Compile the program using the command gcc -o output_filename input_filename.c.
  4. Run the compiled program by typing ./output_filename in the terminal.

Compiling a C Program on Windows

Compiling a C program on Windows with GCC requires additional steps:

  1. Install MinGW, a port of the GCC compiler, on your Windows system.
  2. Open the Command Prompt.
  3. Navigate to the directory containing your C program.
  4. Compile the program using the command gcc -o output_filename input_filename.c.
  5. Run the compiled program by typing output_filename.exe in the Command Prompt.

By following these steps, you can easily compile and run C programs on both Linux and Windows using the GCC compiler. Remember to troubleshoot any errors that may arise during the compilation process to ensure smooth execution of your program.