How to Compile C Programs in Ubuntu

In this article, we will walk you through the process of compiling C programs on Ubuntu, using both the GCC and Clang compilers. We'll cover the basics, including how to install the necessary tools and run your C programs from the terminal. By the end of this guide, you'll be able to compile and run C programs on your Ubuntu system with ease.

Introduction to C Compilers in Ubuntu

C is a widely-used programming language known for its efficiency and low-level system control capabilities. Ubuntu, being a popular Linux distribution, supports multiple C compilers to accommodate various development needs. Two of the most common C compilers available for Ubuntu are GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and Clang.

Installing C Compiler on Ubuntu

First, you need to install the C compiler on your Ubuntu system. The process is straightforward and can be done via the terminal. Here are the steps:

To open the terminal, press Ctrl Alt T.

Type the following command to install GCC:

$ sudo apt-get install gcc

Hitting Enter will prompt you to confirm the installation. After confirming, the package will be installed.

If GCC is already installed, you can skip this step.

Basic Compilation Process

Once you have GCC installed, you can compile a C program using the following steps:

Create a C source file. For example, create a file named b.cpp (although .cpp is more commonly used for C programs, you can use .c for C files).

Open the terminal and navigate to the directory where your source file is located. You can use the cd command to change directories and the ls command to list files.

$ cd /path/to/your/directory$ ls

Use the GCC command to compile your C program:

$ gcc filename.c -o output_program

This will compile your C program and generate an executable file named output_program (you can name it filename if you prefer).

Run the compiled program:

$ ./output_program

Using clang as an Alternative

If you prefer to use a different C compiler, you can install Clang, which is known for its modern features and fast compilation speed. You can install Clang using the following command:

Install Clang:

$ sudo apt-get install clang

To compile a C program using Clang, use the following command:

$ clang file.c -o output_program

Conclusion

Compiling C programs on Ubuntu is a straightforward process. Whether you choose to use GCC or Clang, you can easily compile and run your C programs from the terminal. This guide should help you get started with C programming on Ubuntu. For more detailed information, we recommend following the How to Compile and Run C/C program on Ubuntu 11.10 tutorial, which covers the same process for all the latest Ubuntu versions.