How can I tell which C++ compiler versions are compatible?
First, a definition: “Upward compatible” means that object code compiled with an older compiler can be linked with code from a later compiler, as long as the compiler that is used in the final link is the latest compiler in the mix. The C++ 4.0, 4.1, and 4.2 compilers are upward compatible. (There are some “name mangling” issues among the compiler versions that are documented in the C++ 4.2 manuals.) The current C++ compiler through the 5.0 compiler are upward compatible with the 4.2 compiler in compatibility mode (-compat) . The actual object code from the 4.2 compiler is fully compatible with the object code from the current version through version 5.0, but debugging information (stabs) emitted by later compilers is not compatible with earlier debuggers. Code compiled in the default standard mode by the current C++ compiler through version 5.0 are upward compatible. The actual object code is fully compatible, but debugging information (stabs) emitted by later compilers is not compati
