## Builtin tools

Boost.Build comes with support for a large number of C++ compilers, and other tools. This section documents how to use those tools.

Before using any tool, you must declare your intention, and possibly specify additional information about tool's configuration. This is done with the `using` rule, for example:

    using gcc ;

additional parameters can be passed just like for other rules, for example:

    using gcc : 4.0 : g++-4.0 ;

The options that can be passed to each tool will be documented in the subsequent sections.

### C++ Compilers

This section lists all Boost.Build modules that support C++ compilers and documents how each one can be initialized.

#### GNU C++

The `gcc` module supports the GNU C++ compiler on Linux, a number of Unix-like system including MacOS X, SunOS and BeOS, and on Windows (either Cygwin or MinGW).

The `gcc` module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using gcc : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If the version is not explicitly specified, it will be automatically detected by running the compiler with the `-v` option. If the command is not specified, the g++ binary will be searched in `PATH`.

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

`root`

  Specifies root directory of the compiler installation. This option is necessary only if it's not possible to detect this information from the compiler command—for example if the specified compiler command is a user script.

`rc`

  Specifies the resource compiler command that will be used with the version of gcc that is being configured. This setting makes sense only for Windows and only if you plan to use resource files. By default windres will be used.

`rc-type`

  Specifies the type of resource compiler. The value can be either `windres` for msvc resource compiler, or `rc` for borland's resource compiler.

#### Microsoft Visual C++

The `msvc` module supports the Microsoft Visual C++ command-line tools on Microsoft Windows. The supported products and versions of command line tools are listed below:

- Visual Studio 2005—8.0

- Visual Studio .NET 2003—7.1

- Visual Studio .NET—7.0

- Visual Studio 6.0, Service Pack 5—6.5

The `msvc` module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using msvc : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If the version is not explicitly specified, the most recent version found in the registry will be used instead. If the special value `all` is passed as the version, all versions found in the registry will be configured. If a version is specified, but the command is not, the compiler binary will be searched in standard installation paths for that version, followed by `PATH`.

The compiler command should be specified using forward slashes, and quoted.

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

`setup`

  The filename of the environment setup scripts to run before invoking the compiler. If not specified, vcvars32.bat alongside the compiler binary will be used.

`compiler`

  The command that compiles C and C++ sources. If not specified, cl will be used. The command will be invoked after the setup script was executed and adjusted the `PATH` variable.

`linker`

  The command that links executables and dynamic libraries. If not specified, link will be used. The command will be invoked after the setup script was executed and adjusted the `PATH` variable.

`assembler`

  The command that compiles assember files. If not specified, cl will be used. The command will be invoked after the setup script was executed and adjusted the `PATH` variable.

`resource-compiler`

  The command that compiles resource files. If not specified, rc will be used. The command will be invoked after the setup script was executed and adjusted the `PATH` variable.

`idl-compiler`

  The command that compiles Microsoft COM interface definition files. If not specified, midl will be used. The command will be invoked after the setup script was executed and adjusted the `PATH` variable.

`mc-compiler`

  The command that compiles Microsoft message catalog files. If not specified, mt will be used. The command will be invoked after the setup script was executed and adjusted the `PATH` variable.

#### Intel C++

The `intel-linux` and `intel-win` modules support the Intel C++ command-line compiler—the Linux and Windows versions respectively.

The module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using intel-linux : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

or

    using intel-win : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

respectively.

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If compiler command is not specified, then Boost.Build will look in `PATH` for an executable icpc (on Linux), or icc.exe (on Windows).

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

The Linux version supports the following additional options:

`root`

  Specifies root directory of the compiler installation. This option is necessary only if it's not possible to detect this information from the compiler command—for example if the specified compiler command is a user script.

#### HP aC++ compiler

The `acc` module supports the HP aC++ compiler for the HP-UX operating system.

The module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using acc : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If the command is not specified, the aCC binary will be searched in `PATH`.

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

#### Borland C++ Compiler

The `borland` module supports the command line C++ compiler included in C++ Builder 2006 product and earlier version of it, running on Microsoft Windows.

The supported products are listed below. The version reported by the command lines tools is also listed for reference.:

- C++ Builder 2006—5.8.2

- CBuilderX—5.6.5, 5.6.4 (depending on release)

- CBuilder6—5.6.4

- Free command line tools—5.5.1

The module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using borland : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If the command is not specified, Boost.Build will search for a binary named bcc32 in `PATH`.

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

#### Comeau C/C++ Compiler

The `como-linux` and the `como-win` modules supports the Comeau C/C++ Compiler on Linux and Windows respectively.

The module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using como-linux : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If the command is not specified, Boost.Build will search for a binary named como in `PATH`.

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

Before using the windows version of the compiler, you need to setup necessary environment variables per compiler's documentation. In particular, the `COMO_XXX_INCLUDE` variable should be set, where `XXX` corresponds to the used backend C compiler.

#### Code Warrior

The `cw` module support CodeWarrior compiler, originally produced by Metrowerks and presently developed by Freescale. Boost.Build supports only the versions of the compiler that target x86 processors. All such versions were released by Metrowerks before aquisition and are not sold any longer. The last version known to work is 9.4

The module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using cw : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If the command is not specified, Boost.Build will search for a binary named mwcc in default installation paths and in `PATH`.

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

`root`

  Specifies root directory of the compiler installation. This option is necessary only if it's not possible to detect this information from the compiler command—for example if the specified compiler command is a user script.

`setup`

  The command that sets up environment variables prior to invoking the compiler. If not specified, cwenv.bat alongside the compiler binary will be used.

`compiler`

  The command that compiles C and C++ sources. If not specified, mwcc will be used. The command will be invoked after the setup script was executed and adjusted the `PATH` variable.

`linker`

  The command that links executables and dynamic libraries. If not specified, mwld will be used. The command will be invoked after the setup script was executed and adjusted the `PATH` variable.

#### Digital Mars C/C++ Compiler

The `dmc` module supports the Digital Mars C++ compiler.

The module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using dmc : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If the command is not specified, Boost.Build will search for a binary named como in `PATH`.

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

#### HP C++ Compiler for Tru64 Unix

The `hp_cxx` modules supports the HP C++ Compiler for Tru64 Unix.

The module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using hp_cxx : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If the command is not specified, Boost.Build will search for a binary named hp_cxx in `PATH`.

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

#### Sun Studio

The `sun` module supports the Sun Studio C++ compilers for the Solaris OS.

The module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using sun : [version] : [c++-compile-command] : [compiler options] ;

This statement may be repeated several times, if you want to configure several versions of the compiler.

If the command is not specified, Boost.Build will search for a binary named CC in `/opt/SUNWspro/bin` and in `PATH`.

When using this compiler on complex C++ code, such as the Boost C++ library, it is recommended to specify the following options when intializing the `sun` module:

    -library=stlport4 -features=tmplife -features=tmplrefstatic

See the Sun C++ Frontend Tales for details.

The following options can be provided, using `<`option-name`>`option-value`` syntax:

`cflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C sources.

`cxxflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling C++ sources.

`compileflags`

  Specifies additional compiler flags that will be used when compiling both C and C++ sources.

`linkflags`

  Specifies additional command line options that will be passed to the linker.

#### IBM Visual Age

The `vacpp` module supports the IBM Visual Age C++ Compiler, for the AIX operating system. Versions 7.1 and 8.0 are known to work.

The module is initialized using the following syntax:

    using vacpp ;

The module does not accept any initialization options. The compiler should be installed in the `/usr/vacpp/bin` directory.

Later versions of Visual Age are known as XL C/C++. They were not tested with the the `vacpp` module.