GCC development is a part of the GNU
Project, aiming to improve the compiler used in the GNU system
including the GNU/Linux variant.
The GCC development effort uses an open development environment and
supports many other platforms in order to foster a world-class
optimizing compiler, to attract a larger team of developers, to ensure
that GCC and the GNU system work on multiple architectures and diverse
environments, and to more thoroughly test and extend the features of
GCC.
Free Software Project
Supporting the goals of the GNU project.
Compilers are available under the terms of the GPL.
Other components (runtime libraries, testsuites, etc) are
available under various free licenses.
Copyrights are held by individual authors or the FSF.
Patches must be legally acceptable for
redistribution under the applicable license.
Design and Development Goals
New languages
New optimizations
New targets
Improved runtime libraries
Faster debug cycle
Various other infrastructure improvements
Open Development Environment
Encourage cooperation and communication between developers.
Work more closely with "consumers".
Code available to everyone at any time, and everyone is
welcome to participate in development.
Patches will be considered equally based on their
technical merits.
All individuals and companies are welcome to contribute
as long as they accept the ground rules.
Conflicts of interest exist for many GCC developers; the
developers as well as the GCC Steering
Committee will not allow those conflicts of interest to have an
effect on the development of GCC.