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NASM VS GNU Compiler Collection

Compare NASM VS GNU Compiler Collection and see what are their differences

NASM logo NASM

The Netwide Assembler, NASM, is an 80x86 and x86-64 assembler designed for portability and...

GNU Compiler Collection logo GNU Compiler Collection

The GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) is a compiler system produced by the GNU Project supporting...
  • NASM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-11
  • GNU Compiler Collection Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-12

NASM features and specs

  • Standardization
    NASM (Netwide Assembler) uses a standard and simple syntax that is consistent across different platforms and projects, making it easier for programmers to read and write assembly code.
  • Cross-Platform
    NASM supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, allowing developers to write assembly code that can be assembled on different platforms.
  • Wide Compatibility
    NASM is compatible with numerous output formats such as ELF, COFF, and Mach-O, which makes it versatile for different types of development, including system-level programming and application software.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, NASM allows developers to contribute to its development or adapt it to fit specific needs, granting a high degree of flexibility and customization.
  • Active Community
    NASM has an active user and developer community, providing extensive support, resources, and regular updates that help address issues and enhance features.

Possible disadvantages of NASM

  • Low-Level Language
    Writing in assembly language, including NASM, is inherently low-level, making it complex and time-consuming compared to high-level programming languages.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    NASM requires a significant understanding of assembly language and computer architecture, which may present a steep learning curve for beginners.
  • Error-Prone
    Due to its low-level nature, development in NASM is prone to errors, such as memory management bugs, which can be difficult to debug.
  • Limited Use Cases
    While powerful, NASM is generally used for specific use cases like embedded systems, operating system development, or performance-critical applications, limiting its utility for general software development.
  • Maintenance Difficulty
    Assembly code is less maintainable over time compared to high-level languages, as it can be harder for developers to understand and update long after it was originally written.

GNU Compiler Collection features and specs

  • Open Source
    GCC is free software and its source code is open to the public, allowing developers to contribute, modify, and distribute it.
  • Cross-Platform
    GCC supports a wide range of hardware architectures and operating systems, making it highly versatile for different development environments.
  • Multi-language Support
    It supports multiple programming languages, including C, C++, Fortran, Ada, Go, and more, providing flexibility for developers working in different contexts.
  • Optimization
    GCC provides powerful optimization capabilities that can improve the performance of the compiled code significantly.
  • Strong Community
    There is a large and active community of users and developers that contribute to the project's continuous improvement and provide extensive support.

Possible disadvantages of GNU Compiler Collection

  • Complexity
    GCC can be complex and somewhat daunting for beginners due to its wide array of command-line options and settings.
  • Compilation Speed
    In some cases, GCC can be slower to compile compared to some commercial compilers, particularly at high optimization levels.
  • Error Messages
    The error diagnostics can sometimes be cryptic or less user-friendly, which can make debugging difficult for less experienced programmers.
  • Default Settings
    GCC defaults might not always be the most optimized for every use case, requiring users to manually configure options for best performance.

NASM videos

Why you should NOT get the NASM CPT || Certification

More videos:

  • Review - NASM CPT Certification | Chapter 1-20 Review |SHOW UP FITNESS PASS NASM GUARANTEED ONLINE INTERNSHIP
  • Review - NASM CPT review

GNU Compiler Collection videos

The GNU Compiler Collection, Dr Jeremy Bennett at Manchester Free Software

More videos:

  • Review - What's New in the GNU Compiler Collection

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to NASM and GNU Compiler Collection)
IDE
35 35%
65% 65
Text Editors
48 48%
52% 52
Email Marketing
17 17%
83% 83
Project Management
37 37%
63% 63

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GNU Compiler Collection seems to be a lot more popular than NASM. While we know about 41 links to GNU Compiler Collection, we've tracked only 3 mentions of NASM. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

NASM mentions (3)

  • How to improve at x86/C?
    Try https://nasm.us/ as a modern way to use assembly. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Help needed for asm related project
    Assembly is machine specific, have a look at NASM for a more generic assembly language. https://nasm.us/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • vcpkg now (finally) has site with search functionality
    I have a weird problem: when I try using vcpkg on my work laptop, it cannot download nasm. Instead of nasm, I get an HTML page that explains that I am kept safe and secure by CSIS who blocked downloads from this dangerous domain. Vcpkg barfs on the HTML file (as it should). Source: almost 4 years ago

GNU Compiler Collection mentions (41)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing NASM and GNU Compiler Collection, you can also consider the following products

Yasm - Yasm is a complete rewrite of the NASM assembler.

clang - C, C++, Objective C and Objective C++ front-end for the LLVM compiler.

flat assembler - A fast and efficient self-assembling x86 assembler for DOS, Windows and Linux.

Tiny C Compiler - The Tiny C Compiler is an x86, x86-64 and ARM processor C compiler created by Fabrice Bellard.

PCem - PCem emulates an IBM 5150 PC, several models of clones and successors, along with various graphics...

LLVM - LLVM is a compiler infrastructure designed for compile-time, link-time, run-time, and...