How to Check C++ Compiler Version in Linux

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Naila Saad Siddiqui Feb 02, 2024
C++ C++ Version
  1. Check the C++ Compiler Version in Linux Using the --version Option
  2. Check the C++ Compiler Version in Linux Using the cpp Command With --version
  3. Check the C++ Compiler Version Directly
  4. Check the C++ Compiler Version in Linux Using cpp With the -dM Option
  5. Conclusion
How to Check C++ Compiler Version in Linux

When working with C++ programming on a Linux system, it’s essential to know the version of the C++ compiler you are using. Different versions of the compiler may have varying features, optimizations, and compatibility, which can affect your code’s behavior and performance.

In this article, we’ll explore several ways to check the C++ compiler version in Linux.

Check the C++ Compiler Version in Linux Using the --version Option

The GCC, which stands for GNU Compiler Collection, is a powerful compiler capable of compiling various programming languages, including C, C++, Objective C, and Objective C++. Specifically, for compiling C programs, the gcc command is utilized, while the g++ command is employed for compiling C++ programs.

One of the most straightforward methods to determine the C++ compiler version is by using the --version option with the g++ command.

  • Launch a terminal on your Linux system. Usually, you can find the terminal application in the applications menu or by searching for Terminal.
  • In the terminal, type the following command and press Enter:
    g++ --version

    or

    g++ -v

    This command will show the version of the C++ compiler installed on your system.

    check cpp compiler version in linux - image two

  • Alternatively, you can type the following command and press Enter. Using --version with gcc will also display the g++ version.
    gcc --version

    It will give the version details of the GCC compiler installed on your system.

    check cpp compiler version in linux - image one

Check the C++ Compiler Version in Linux Using the cpp Command With --version

The cpp command is the C preprocessor, which is a part of the GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) suite. It can also be used to check the compiler version.

  • Launch a terminal on your Linux system.
  • Type the following command and press Enter:
    cpp --version

    This command will show the version of the C++ compiler.

Check the C++ Compiler Version Directly

If you have the g++ executable available, you can query its version directly using the strings command:

  • Launch a terminal on your Linux system.
  • Type the following command and press Enter:
    strings $(which g++) | grep "g++ version"

    This command will extract and display the version information from the g++ executable.

Check the C++ Compiler Version in Linux Using cpp With the -dM Option

Another way to check the C++ compiler version is by using the cpp preprocessor, which is typically invoked by the g++ compiler. The -dM option tells cpp to print all predefined macros, including the __cplusplus macro that specifies the C++ version.

Here’s how to check the C++ compiler version using this method:

  • Launch a terminal emulator on your Linux system.
  • Run the following command to print the __cplusplus macro, which indicates the C++ standard version:
    cpp -dM /dev/null | grep __cplusplus

    The output will display the value of the __cplusplus macro, which corresponds to the C++ standard version.

Conclusion

Knowing the version of the C++ compiler you’re using is crucial for ensuring code compatibility and taking advantage of the latest features and optimizations. Linux provides multiple methods to check the C++ compiler version, including using the --version option with g++, gcc, cpp, or package manager commands.

Choose the method that suits your preference and workflow to easily determine the C++ compiler version on your Linux system.

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