Article by Ayman Alheraki on May 9 2025 02:12 PM
Yes, there are special-purpose or privately developed C++ compilers created by companies or institutions that were not widely adopted in the developer community. These compilers were often built for niche or high-reliability environments.
| Compiler Name | Developer | Purpose | Reason for Limited Adoption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comeau C/C++ | Comeau Computing | Strong C++ standard compliance with unique extensions | Development stopped and lacked support for modern C++ standards |
| EDG C++ Frontend | Edison Design Group | Used as a backend engine in several compilers | Not distributed as a standalone compiler; requires commercial licensing |
| Green Hills MULTI | Green Hills Software | Designed for safety-critical systems like automotive and aerospace | Very expensive and tailored for niche markets |
| CodeWarrior for C++ | Freescale (formerly Motorola) | Development for embedded systems and Freescale processors | Discontinued and limited to a specific hardware ecosystem |
| Intel C++ Compiler (ICC) | Intel | High-performance code optimization for Intel CPUs | Free for non-commercial use but overshadowed by GCC and Clang |
| Zortech / Symantec C++ | Changed hands over time | One of the earliest C++ compilers | Obsolete due to dominance by Microsoft, GNU, and Clang compilers |
Focused on Narrow Markets: Many were built for embedded systems or industries like aerospace and automotive.
High Licensing Costs: Most were commercial products with expensive licenses.
Lack of Modern C++ Standard Support: They lagged in implementing newer C++ versions (C++11 onward).
Dominance of Free and Open-Source Compilers, such as:
GCC – Widely supported and stable.
Clang/LLVM – Fast, modular, and used in projects like Xcode and Android NDK.
MSVC – Free and fully supported by Microsoft in Visual Studio.
Yes, in certain scenarios:
Advanced Code Analysis: Some compilers like EDG provide extremely strict standard enforcement and valuable diagnostic messages.
Safety-Critical Systems: Still in use in aviation, automotive, medical devices, etc., where 100% correctness is mandatory.
Standard Compliance Testing: Helpful in identifying subtle standard violations not caught by mainstream compilers.
Performance Tuning: Intel’s ICC can generate highly optimized code for Intel hardware.
