Compiling C/C++ programs with the GNU compiler...

gcc - the compiler, linker, assembler, and preprocessor in one
g++ - same as gcc, but a C++ compiler
ld - a library linker
gdb - a program debugger for gcc and g++
make - makes coding a group of programs easier

Some compiler options...

-E show preprocessor data and stop at that stage
-I look for other header files in specific directories
-L look for other library files in specified directories
-l include a specified library
-o output to a filename other than a.out
-S compile, but do not pass to the assembler
-c assemble to an object file but do not link

-E	show preprocessor data and stop at that stage
-I	look for other header files in specific directories
-L	look for other library files in specified directories
-l	include a specified library
-o	output to a filename other than a.out
-S	compile, but do not pass to the assembler
-c	assemble to an object file but do not link