<a id="install-gcc"></a>

# How to set up a development environment for GCC on Ubuntu

This guide explains how to install GCC and related tooling on Ubuntu Desktop. The [GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)](https://gcc.gnu.org/) is a set of compilers for programming languages, including C, C++, Assembly, and many more. It is the standard in Linux environments and is used to compile both the GNU toolchain and the Linux kernel.

This guide shows how to install GCC and related tooling, including a build system and debuggers, on Ubuntu Desktop.

## Installing GCC

The GCC toolchain, including past versions and cross-compilers for different architectures, is included in the Ubuntu package repository. The `gcc` package provides the default version of GCC for your platform. `gcc` runs the C compiler and `g++` runs the C++ compiler.

1. Install GCC compilers for C and C++:
   `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install gcc g++`
2. Confirm the version of the installed compiler:
   `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``gcc --version`
   ```text
   gcc (Ubuntu 14.2.0-4ubuntu2) 14.2.0
   Copyright (C) 2024 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
   This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO
   warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
   ```

#### NOTE
You may see a different version number from the one listed here.  That is not a problem.

## Installing editing and debugging tools

### Text editors and Language Server Protocol (LSP) servers

Some developers prefer advanced text editors such as Vim, Codium, or Visual Studio Code with [Language Server Protocol (LSP)](https://langserver.org/) plug-ins for a lightweight and streamlined development experience.

[Vim with LSP](https://www.vim.org/)
: A mode-driven text editor with powerful editing features. Combined with an LSP, such as [`ccls`](https://github.com/MaskRay/ccls), it offers code completion, linting, navigation, and more.
  <br/>
  Install with:
  <br/>
  `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install -y vim ccls`
  <br/>
  Refer to the [`ccls` editor configuration instructions](https://github.com/MaskRay/ccls/wiki/Editor-Configuration) for Vim LSP setup.

[Codium](https://vscodium.com/)
: The freely-licensed binary distribution of Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code. It includes extensive C/C++ support out of the box, and numerous extensions available from the open-source [Open VSX](https://open-vsx.org/) registry provide support for additional functionality for coding with C. For example, the all-in-one [C/C++ Extension Pack](https://open-vsx.org/extension/franneck94/vscode-c-cpp-dev-extension-pack).
  <br/>
  Install with:
  <br/>
  `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install codium --classic`

[Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/)
: The popular editor from Microsoft with an extensive range of extensions for C/C++ development, including the [C/C++ extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-vscode.cpptools) also from Microsoft.
  <br/>
  Install with:
  <br/>
  `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install code --classic`

### Integrated development environments

Other developers enjoy the full support offered by Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). Several IDEs available in the Ubuntu `.deb` and `snap` repositories are excellent choices for developing C and C++ applications:

[Code::Blocks](https://www.codeblocks.org/)
: A dedicated and easy-to-use C, C+, and Fortran IDE that is often featured in C/C++ programming tutorials.
  <br/>
  Install with:
  <br/>
  `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install -y codeblocks`

[Eclipse CDT™ C/C++ Development Tools](https://github.com/eclipse-cdt/cdt)
: A C/C++ IDE based on the [Eclipse IDE](https://eclipseide.org/) platform.
  <br/>
  Install with:
  <br/>
  `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install eclipse --classic`
  <br/>
  From within Eclipse, install CDT by going to Help ‣ Install New Software… and use `https://download.eclipse.org/tools/cdt/releases/latest/` for the Work with: field.

[Apache NetBeans](https://netbeans.apache.org/front/main/index.html)
: The [NetBeans C/C++ Development Pack](https://www.netbeans.info/products/cplusplus.html) adds support for C/C++ to NetBeans.
  Install with:
  <br/>
  `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install default-jre
  > sudo snap install netbeans --classic`
  <br/>
  From within NetBeans, install the C/C++ Pack by going to  Tools ‣ Plugins ‣ Available Plugins ‣ Install.

### Debuggers, profilers, and other tooling

The standard debugger developed for GCC is the [GNU Debugger (GDB)](https://sourceware.org/gdb/). Other tools, such as [`gprof`](https://sourceware.org/binutils/docs/gprof/) (part of `binutils`) and [Valgrind](https://valgrind.org/) provide support for profiling and advanced dynamic analysis.

Install with:

`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install -y gdb valgrind`

(The `binutils` package is installed automatically with `gcc`.)

See the [GDB manual](https://sourceware.org/gdb/current/onlinedocs/gdb.html/) and [Valgrind documentation](https://valgrind.org/docs/manual/quick-start.html) for more information about how to troubleshoot your programs.

### Build systems

The standard for GNU software is [GNU Make](https://www.gnu.org/software/make/). For larger projects and a more modern experience, consider [CMake](https://cmake.org/).

Install with:

`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install -y make cmake`

See the [GNU Make manual](https://www.gnu.org/software/make/manual/make.html) and the [CMake tutorial](https://cmake.org/cmake/help/latest/guide/tutorial/index.html) for more information about these build systems.

## What next

See the tutorial introducing the use of GCC and related tooling: [Develop with GCC on Ubuntu](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-for-developers/tutorials/gcc-use.md#use-gcc).