How do I compile C program and create an executable file under Linux or UNIX operating systems?
Tutorial details | |
---|---|
Difficulty | Easy (rss) |
Root privileges | No |
Requirements | C compiler |
Time | 5m |
Make Sure Compiler Is Installed On a Unix-like System
Type the following which command or type command or command command to verify that gcc is installed:
$ type -a gcc
$ command -V gcc
$ which gcc
Sample outputs:
/usr/bin/gcc
Find out version of gcc, run:
$ gcc --version
Sample outpust:
gcc (GCC) 4.0.3 20060212 (prerelease) (Debian 4.0.2-9) Copyright (C) 2006 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.
Syntax
The syntax is as follows to compile a C program on a Unix-like operating system:
gcc program.c -o program-output
OR
cc program.c -o program-output
OR
make program
Writing Your First C Program Under a Linux / UNIX-like system
Use a text editor such as vi or gedit or nano to create a C program called first.c:
$ vi first.c
Type the following lines (program):
#include <stdio.h> int main(void){ printf("My first C program\n"); return 0; }
How Do I Compile My C Program?
To compile C program first.c, and create an executable file called first, enter:
$ gcc first.c -o first
OR
$ cc first.c -o first
To execute program first, enter:
$ ./first
Output:
My first C program
However, both FreeBSD and Linux support direct make (GNU make utility to maintain groups of programs) command on C program without writing a make file. Remove, first program using the rm command:
$ rm first
$ make first
Output:
cc first.o -o first
Execute program first:
$ ./first
Please note that above hack works with GNU/make only.
See also:
- Ubuntu Linux Install GNU GCC Compiler and Development Environment
- Debian Linux Install GNU GCC Compiler and Development Environment
- CentOS / RHEL 7: Install GCC (C and C++ Compiler) and Development Tools
- Download and Install C, C++ Compiler on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 (RHEL)
- Mac OS X: Install GCC Compiler with Xcode
- Where is My Linux GNU C or GCC Compilers Are Installed?
- HowTo: Compile And Run a C/C++ Code In Linux
- RHEL / CentOS Linux Install Core Development Tools Automake, Gcc (C/C++), Perl, Python & Debuggers
- HowTo Compiling C Program And Creating Executable File Under a Linux / UNIX / *BSD
- How To Install ncurses Library on a Linux
- Linux Find Out What Compilers Are Installed or Available On The System
- Linux Find Out GNU gcc Compiler Version Used To Compile Running Kernel
- Howto see output of C program in Linux or UNIX
🐧 79 comments so far... add one ↓
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Hello,
Your c code is missing the filename of the #include directive.
Thanks for heads up.
Hi, I was just wondering how would you create an executable for numerous C programs? I am modifying the Windows Frotz interpreter for a college assignment with the aim to output the game data to a html page. The source for the interpreter contains numerous C files in a number of subdirectories. I have made the modifications but need to create the executable to see if it works properly. This is my first time creating an executable so i’m a bit unsure how to go about it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I just want to thank you. I am 57 years old and I just started computing two years ago. I have built three towers, which is no big deal; but, I have been running a lot of different systems. I want to learn c and c++ and you have helped me a lot. I am grateful for any help I can get. I usually do stuff on my own.I still wonder what the greatest difference is between BSD and Debian other than software installation. I do think that BSD is closer to being pure UNIX than Debian, but the kernels are so alike or an I wrong? It world be nice to know. Anyway, this letter is to thank you.
Nice to see at 57, you are learning BSD and C/C++ development.
*BSD is under BSD vs Linux is under GPL License
Network stack
Little change in command syntax for few utilities
A BSD and Linux kernel are different and follows different development methods and approach.
Please see this post along with discussion for more info.
i want a C program Compiler Code In VI editor
hi, i ve installed red hat linux.and trying to compile C++ prg.but getting a err msg saying that gcc not found.then i tried to see which compiler installed on my linx.To do so i am giving cmd – which
gcc – output is /usr/bin/which: – no gcc.
and i am not able to compile my prog..
plz help me in dis regard.
You need to install install update your repositories, and install it thru the RPM comander or do it with de packgesmanager.
bye
install g++ . in redhat and centos or fedora yum install g++
king777 – you need to make sure the gcc development package is selected when you install redhat. Otherwise, you have to download/install gcc manually.
i don’t know about software creation iam from a village school of india
shall you pls send any program in c for me iam too interest in these
If using the Unix system
Follow the below steps:
$ vi welcome.c
Save the content written below (This is called programme)
include
int main(void)
{
printf(“WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF C\n”);
return 0;
}
Step 3 ) comiple the progamme
gcc welcome.c -o WELCOME
Step 4) For execution
$ ./WELCOME
good answer………………
THNX!!! very useful!!!! :D :D :D
After typing the following command “$ which gcc” to verify that gcc is installed, the Output was “/usr/bin/which: no gcc in (/usr/kerberos/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/X11R6/bin:/home/omar/bin)
” , instead of being “/usr/bin/gcc”. what i have to do now?
I would like to thank you very much. I am new user of linux and C language, I was trying to compile a small program for hours. You made it so easy thank you again and god bless you.
Many thanks for this! I love programming in C and perl and getting my feet wet with Linux/UNIX.
As a followup question, how would I take a program I’ve created (a calculator, for example), and package it so it can run as an executable on another computer (or even embed in a linux distro)?
Thanks again.
i want to know how to create executable file.
when u compile any *.c file automatically the executable file is created, which is linked to ld further to get the output,the executable file created after compiling is called as intermediate object file or executable
I file con be executable thru the permitions
chmod +x program make in a sudo way
edpes
how to compile a user defined function in c using gcc.
what do you mean by segmentation fault.
Hi
i’m new linux worker.
befor linux i work on windows7 and now for robotic programing and… work in linux fedora12.
thank u for this note.
and i have a question!(excuse me for my bad english,becous i’m iranian)
–> how we can load and open the serial port in program??
–>how can i open the camera on linux?
–>and how we can comunicate with other laptop with wi-fi?
so thank a lot.
I followed the steps mentioned above.I m able to compile the code.But when i m givin “./first” to
run it its giving the following “-bash: ./first: Permission denied”. Please help me
Usually the compiled programm. If that’s not the case run
sudo chmod u+x
which gives the user permission to execute the file.
hii…iam on redhat 5.0….whenever i try to compile c program…iam gettin an error msg stating gcc command not found….explain me the easy way to install the gcc….please help me
i tried which gcc as you said but iam getting gcc not in and ./a.out is also not working…please someone help me out
HI! I’m new for linux and I’m using Fedora 13 actually I wnt to install compiler for c and c++ someone told me gcc is inbuilt in fedora 13, is it possible tell me how to know it’s installed or not or how to install it? how to create c or c++ programs in fedora 13 or any linux system, how to install other IDE’s for development. Please someone help me out……
Hi,
I would like to know how can I execute the file “first” without using preceeding it
with the characters “./” . Any help is appreciated.
Regards
when i try to compile a C pogram in centos 5.2…i get the following error
$ cc prog.c
bash: cc: command not found
how to get rid of this prob…pls help
actually it is because gcc is not installed so type “yum install gcc” if u have a centos or fedora
i tried it as su -c’yum install gcc’
but it also get faliure.to install the gcc so hw could i hv 2 go for install.
yum only works if you have a yum repository… otherwise you have to do it manually..
when i try to compile a C pogram in Fedora 13 .i get the following error
$ cc prog.c
bash: cc: command not found
how to get rid of this prob…pls help
Dear friend,
I cannot also create,compile & execute C program in Fedora 15.Please help me to do this mailing me the required commands.
I can’t not compile program
TopDollar !! :)
My first c-compilation yummie!
And it works perfect following your instructions.
Peace out!
hi friends can any one say me how can i add libraries(.h) to my gcc compiler
This really doesn’t help me to understand how to make the compiled program executable. When I say executable I mean a *.exe file that I can call by name (such as typing “first_program.exe” in a terminal & having it execute), or by double clicking in a graphical environment.
Does ANYBODY know how to do THAT?!
Can I use script on Windows XP??
If we have a program with multible *.c or *.h files how do we compile those together? And how do we make this a *.exe file or some sort of exacutable?
i just want to know how to install gcc files in fedora???????????/
use the following command in terminal (it works for me in fedora 14)
yum groupinstall ‘Development Tools’
This will download (approx 105Mb) of data and automatically install it on your system. the best thing is you dont have to worry about the dependencies ;-)
then type gcc and press enter
you should get this error “no input files selected” this means gcc is installed.
i tried but it says that you need to be root to perform this command. now what should i do?
thanks you
in Ubuntu installed gcc by default.
thanks a lot for this.
i want how to understand linux progams.
sir ,
I want to know is c has executable files?if yes then can a virus infect c?
Sir,
There is a problem when i write a command in MS-Word like
=rand(200,99)
then some text appears.I m not able to understand the internal working for this command.Can you explain please?
I want to execute the shell program in ubunto os . but, the vi editor didnot support the delete operation . how to delete the mistake lines in vi editor .
i want to know that
if i made my own header file…………then where to place that header file to use it.
or there is any change in compiling the file.
when I try compile a C program and create an executable file , I fail and get this massage : Access is denied .
I do not know what does mean
I want help
Hi, Thanks a lot
write a c under the unix/linux environment to do the following:create two concurrent processes A and B, with a shared memory segment M attached to the address spaces of those two processes,process A generates 100 pseudo-random integer numbers, and stores them in M,process B sorts the numbers in M by any sorting algorithm,process a displays the sorted list in M.
Nice !!! very clear, thanks…
I love LINUX>> yahhhhhhhh
Lots of thanks to people who have provided solution for professionals.
I love Ubuntu 10.04 LTS.
Everything Amazing and easy.
i use ubuntu 11.10 and why it is not working
sumit@saurabh:~$ gcc –version
gcc (Ubuntu/Linaro 4.6.1-9ubuntu3) 4.6.1
Copyright (C) 2011 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.
sumit@saurabh:~$ $ vi first.c
$: command not found
sumit@saurabh:~$ gedit first.c
sumit@saurabh:~$ $ gcc first.c -o first
$: command not found
sumit@saurabh:~$ $ cc first.c -o first
$: command not found
sumit@saurabh:~$ $ gcc first.c -o first
$: command not found
@ saurabh…
Bro…u must remove the ‘$’ sign before the commands.
instead of $ vi first.c it shud be vi fisrt.c
and same for rest of commands.
shud work…else do below
whereis gcc
It will give u path of gcc executable like /usr/bin/gcc
then try as below:
/usr/bin/gcc first.c -o first
this wud work..
-Mayank
thanks…Mayank bhai
your ans are really very helpfull thanx
Hii ,
I am trying to run the same C program as mentioned at the top of this page. But it is saying that commant not found or directory no found. Can you please help me in this.
Thanks and Regards,
Anil
goodhoallo i are to write in terminel but no working for avover the coder. plis help me i is not geting work fix to be……..,,,mngrw
hello
i dont get why u guys goes thru all that pain with linux :D
i can do all this for 200 % faster then any of u on my windows
threat closed !
hey,Anil sharma!
first of all ,where have you saved *.c file,keep in mind this location.Next, open your terminal(ctrl+t) and type cd location and press enter.Now compile your c file using this command line gcc filename.c .Now a.out file will create where you have saved filename.c file.For run this filename.c type ./a.out in the terminal and this will give you output of your filename.c file.
i’m a newbie to linux,kindly help me complile this c++ code.I got this error while trin to compile the same.
root@ubuntu:/home/kanchan# gcc codel.cc -o codel
codel.cc:37:20: fatal error: config.h: No such file or directory
compilation terminated.
Thanks
M using red hat linux nd it contain a gcc but der is advance version of gcc…………..
i cant compile a c code y????????
Reply me as early as u guies psble…….
Hi , I’m not an expert or anything like that, but I need to compile a program from an existing script.. I have none around to help me. If I type what you said:
gcc script.c -o script
I get:
12:22 fatal error: plataform.h: No such file or directory
compilation terminated
What does that means?
Thanks in advance.
Mia
I took some of your code for bash c compile and run and I lift my head of the table. You are genius
How do i give input to c program through php code????
like this code:
#include
void main()
{
int i;
scanf(“%d”,&i);
printf(“%d”,i);
}
I have a c program, how can I compile and run it
Thanks
i have a c program in programs folder which is in d drive,but i need to generate .exe file in same source folder,How can i generate?even i set path for c but, i need to acess program from d drive how?
can anyone know the answer
Please I need the steps to compile my c program
I have question.
1) The source code of a C program file is stored in a file with the ____ extension.
2)____ is an example of how you can declare a string in C.
Please can you send me Answer.
give example prg in linux using c prg and how run
This was amazing! Thanks!
In the tutorial example :-
$ make first
The output to screen is actually…
cc first.c -o first
Note the .c not .o as shown in the tutorial.
Otherwise works as advertised! ;-)
Ta Ta.
How can i just click my app and run rather than goto command and type ./myapp?