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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Free Software Foundation
Bradley M. Kuhn <pr@gnu.org>
Phone: +1-617-542-5942

GNU Compiler Collection Version 3.0 Is Released

Includes Support for Java and IA-64

Boston, Massachusetts, USA - Monday, June 18, 2001 - The Free Software Foundation announced today the 3.0 release of the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC). GCC is a Free (as in freedom) Software compiler toolset, licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

This version of GCC fully incorporates a native-code compiler for the Java programming language. This allows Java programs that run faster, while using a completely Free Software system without depending on a proprietary Java compiler.

GCC 3.0 includes rewritten support the Intel and AMD 32-bit family of processors, which includes all Pentium systems. GCC 3.0 now generates much better output for these processors. This allows programs to run faster on such systems.

GCC 3.0 supports the Intel IA-64 processor. This support will allow completely Free Software systems to run on the IA-64 architecture immediately upon the public release of IA-64. GCC 3.0 also supports other new chipsets from Motorola, Atmel, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu and Sun.

GCC 3.0 vastly improves C++ support. Many bug fixes and changes to the C++ support library allow GCC 3.0 to conform better to ISO C++ standards than ever before. Also included is a new Application Binary Interface (ABI) for C++.

But, technological considerations are not the most important reasons for using GCC. Richard M. Stallman, president of the Free Software Foundation, pointed out: "Many users choose GCC for technical advantages, such as having one compiler that works on many systems, or its powerful C extensions. But the most important benefit of GCC is freedom--your freedom. A free operating system requires a free compiler. GCC was an essential step on the road to freedom."

GCC 3.0 has benefitted from the efforts of several successful businesses built around support and development of Free Software. GCC, which is Free Software licensed under the GPL, has facilitated sustainable business models. Some of these companies are listed in the Free Software Foundation's service directory, which can be found at:
http://www.gnu.org/prep/service.html

More information about the new features of GCC 3.0 can be found at:
http://www.gnu.org/software/gcc/gcc-3.0/features.html

The software can be downloaded from:
http://www.gnu.org/software/gcc/releases.html

Users are encouraged to use mirror sites for downloads, to decrease the load on GNU and FSF servers.

About the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC):

The GNU Compiler Collection (GCC), originally called the GNU C Compiler, includes compilers for the C, C++, Objective C, Fortran, and Java languages. Originally developed by Richard M. Stallman, GCC is now developed and improved by a worldwide network of volunteers, lead by the GCC Steering Committee, the official maintainers of GCC. The GCC website can be found at:
http://www.gnu.org/software/gcc/gcc.html

About GNU:

GNU is a Free Software Unix-like operating system. Development of GNU began in 1984. GCC is the compiler for the GNU system.

GNU/Linux is the integrated combination of the GNU operating system with the kernel, Linux, written by Linus Torvalds in 1991. The various versions of GNU/Linux have an estimated 20 million users.

Some people call the GNU/Linux system "Linux", but this misnomer leads to confusion (people cannot tell whether you mean the whole system or the kernel, one part), and spreads an inaccurate picture of how, when and where the system was developed. Making a consistent distinction between GNU/Linux, the whole operating system, and Linux, the kernel, is the best way to clear up the confusion.

About the Free Software Foundation:

The Free Software Foundation, founded in 1985, is dedicated to promoting computer users' right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as in freedom) software---particularly the GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux variants---and free documentation for free software. The FSF also helps to spread awareness of the ethical and political issues of freedom in the use of software. Their web site, located at http://www.gnu.org, is an important source of information about GNU/Linux. They are headquartered in Boston, MA, USA.

Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.

Updated: $Date: 2001/09/14 20:37:53 $ $Author: bkuhn $