Comeau C/C++
Comeau C/C++ was a compiler for C and C++ produced by Comeau Computing. Comeau C/C++ was once described as the most standards-conformant C++ compiler. In 2006-2008 it was described as the only mainstream C++ compiler to fully support the
export keyword for exported templates.Design
The compiler supported several dialects of both the C and C++ languages. It came with its own version of the Standard C++ library,libcomo, that was based on the Standard C++ library from Silicon Graphics, but could also be used with the Dinkumware Standard C library.The compiler was based on the Edison Design Group C++ frontend, also utilized in the Intel C++ Compiler. Rather than produce an executable directly, Comeau C/C++ would output C code and required a separate C compiler in order to produce the final program. The Comeau C/C++ compiler could employ several back ends.
Comeau C/C++ supported exported templates, which no other compiler was known to support. This was a feature that allowed templated symbols to be defined external of their declaration. It introduced the
export keyword in the context of templates with C++03, but this feature was removed from C++ in C++11. The keyword was later reintroduced with more general application in C++20 with the introduction of modules.Standards compliance
Comeau Computing was a founding member of the C++ committee. Comeau Computing's CEO, Greg Comeau, provided one of the early ports of cfront to the PC.Distribution
A limited-function version of the compiler, which allowed one to compile source code and view any resulting error messages, but not to produce executable programs, was once available from the company's web site.The compiler was available for purchase for both Unix and Microsoft Windows platforms. Comeau also offered custom ports to other platforms, albeit at a substantially increased cost.
Status
The compiler was last updated October 6, 2008 featuring version 4.3.10.1 Beta 2.As of September 2017, version 4.3.10.1 remains in Beta. The company website appears to have been sold to an unrelated blogger.