GCC 15, the latest iteration of the GNU Compiler Collection, is steadily advancing toward its anticipated production release, scheduled for late April or early May. Currently in the crucial regression-fixing phase, the development team is focusing on resolving priority issues carried over from GCC 14 to ensure a stable and reliable update. Richard Biener, the GCC release manager, highlights that final release timing hinges on successfully addressing these regressions, underscoring the importance of quality assurance in this process.
One of the standout features of GCC 15 is its updated support for modern programming standards. The C compiler will shift its default from C17 to C23, embracing the newest enhancements in the language. Simultaneously, the C++ compiler and standard library are set to incorporate features from both C++23 and the upcoming C++26, marking a significant leap forward. Improvements to C++20 modules will also make them more usable, enhancing both compiler capabilities and associated tooling, positioning GCC 15 as a particularly strong release for C++ developers.
Beyond language updates, GCC 15 is expanding its architecture support, with notable advancements in RISC-V vectorization and overall platform compatibility. This is part of a broader trend to keep pace with emerging hardware designs and to optimize compilation for modern computing environments. Additionally, GCC 15 introduces a new language front end for Cobol, acknowledging the enduring presence of this legacy language in many enterprise systems. Biener points out that offering a free, open-source compiler option for Cobol is an important milestone, catering to ongoing maintenance and modernization efforts in legacy codebases.
While the Cobol front end has been embraced, the proposed inclusion of an Algol 68 front end was not approved for this release cycle. Although Algol 68 holds historical significance, its practical and commercial applications are limited today. Biener expresses hope that Algol 68 support will eventually arrive in GCC 16, recognizing its value for preserving computing history and potentially serving niche use cases in the future. Overall, GCC 15 represents a well-rounded update with enhancements that balance modern development needs and legacy system support.